What is a lumbar corset?

You’ve probably heard about corsets before. They are well-known for their aesthetic use – slimming down the figure and giving an hourglass shape! However, what you probably don’t know yet is that corset can be used for medical reasons, and one of them is known as the “lumbar corset” (aka, back braces). Today, we will are going to tell you what a lumbar corset is, what it is good for and how it is used^[1]Dang, S. (n.d.). Types of Back Braces Used for Lower Back Pain Relief. Spine-Health. Retrieved February 20, 2021, from … Continue reading!

What is a lumbar corset? 

Made of softer materials like cotton, a lumbar corset is a device used for supporting the lower back! It can be classified as flexible, semi-rigid, and rigid – it all depends on the severity of your pain or the condition of your back!

Flexible corsets are made only of softer materials. They allow you to make more movements than a semi-rigid or a rigid brace. Those two include rigid panels that cover the front and back of the torso, and sometimes, also the sides. They may also include metal parts, which prevent any movement of the spine. Today, we will focus on the flexible corset, since it is the one used to relieve lower back pain in more mild cases!

Who it is indicated for? 

Well, if you are feeling lower back pain, suffer from arthritis, have done a back surgery, or have a strained back disc, a lumbar corset could be used. However, you must always talk to a doctor first, ok? An orthopedist is a physician you should seek whenever you feel pain related to your spine, and they are there to help you evaluate if a corset could help you with your problem. 

How does it work? 

By applying pressure to your abdomen, the lumbar corset relieves the lower back pain. It also helps with the following:

• Prevents you from moving fastly and causing new injuries
• Helps you to keep a good posture
• Takes the pressure off insured muscles 
• Reduces motion at injured or weakened joints since it compresses the torso
• Helps to relax back muscles because of the warmth provided by the pressure

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Remember: it is really important that you consult a doctor before using a lumbar corset. You need to use an appropriate size of the corset and guarantee that it is safe. It is also important to know how the brace will provide effective pain relief.

How is it used?

It may seem simple, but there are a lot of things you should pay attention to when wearing a lumbar compression brace:

• First of all, talk to your doctor and check if your corset fits properly. Your corset cover all the areas of your back that are in need of support and your physician will be able to tell you how often you should wear it and how tight it needs to be!
• Depending on the severity of your back pain, your doctor may ask you to wear your corset all the time or only in certain situations. One thing you should be aware of is that your corset may move during its use, so be sure to check it often, as it could cause even more damage if it is misplaced!
• Depending on the material of your lumbar corset and how tight you wear it, it may be best if you wear a t-shirt underneath it! By doing this, you won’t hurt your skin.
• In addition to wearing a corset, it could be nice if you work with a physical therapist as well. Most of the time, lower back pain is caused by weak muscles, so you probably need to strengthen your back muscles!
• Check your corset every day! You need to make sure that it isn’t damaged! 

So now you know if wearing a lumbar corset could help you with your back pain! If you have any doubts about its usage, don’t hesitate to contact your healthcare provider. And if you already know what corset is indicated for you, take a look at Metro Brazil’s website! There you can find are several options from great Brazilian brands, both for men and women!