Many people with back issues spend most of the day wearing a back brace for various reasons. Whether it’s an Orthopedic doctor’s prescription or just for personal reasons, wearing a back brace all day is no child’s play. The main purpose of wearing a back brace is to enhance spinal cord health by reducing pack pains and averting future problems.
Wearing a back brace contains many benefits, including:
- Back braces improve one’s posture.
- They prevent back pains and other potential issues related to the area.
- They are the most effortless way of caring for your back because one can still undertake other duties, such as bike riding.
- Back braces are easier to wear and use compared to other back treatments.
You can be assured of maximum back health and prevention of potential problems with a back brace. However, you should adhere to the best tips to achieve the best out of the experience. Always engage your doctor, even on the ‘pettiest’ questions, to shorten your healing period.
Here are the best tips for wearing a back brace all day.
1. Adhere to the Doctor’s Instructions
One of the most effective and popular tips for wearing a back brace is adhering to your doctor’s instructions regarding the garment. For instance, the most commonly recommended period of wearing a back brace is all day, which should be your key guidance. The doctor may also prescribe other measures to make your back brace experience more comfortable.
They will also instruct on how to wear the brace, whether to wear it at night, how to clean it, what medications to take alongside the back brace, or if you take it outside. You can also ask your doctor any burning questions and stick to their answers as much as possible.
2. Wear Under Clean Skin
Wearing a back brace reduces back pains and prevents potential problems, but the results may not be as smooth as expected if you wear the garment under unclean skin.
A back brace under clean skin inhibits it from developing bruises and blisters while minimizing friction that could lead to back sores. Doctors usually advise back patients to bathe with soap and water daily before wearing back braces, among other body hygiene measures.
3. Have a Shirt Under the Brace
A shirt or vest under a back brace is highly advisable to reduce skin irritation, among other misfortunes. Doctors and other back specialists advise patients to choose a smooth, side seamless, clean shirt or vest for their back braces.
Their materials should be 100% seamless cotton without wrinkles to prevent excessive friction and blisters. Furthermore, the vest or shirt’s length should exceed the back brace’s for more practical results.
4. Loose Clothing Over the Brace
Unlike their tight counterparts, loose clothing is highly recommended under a back brace. They are more comfortable in and are preferred by many people, especially those who desire to cover their back braces from the public. Therefore, wearing tight clothes over a back brace would be inappropriate. You can wear huge t-shirts, hoodies, or vests over your back brace.
5. Ask for Help
Generally, back braces aren’t so easy to wear, regardless of how much experience you’re with them. If yours gives you a touch of some KungFu lessons, you should seek help wearing and removing it to avoid injuring yourself and extending the healing period.
Ask a family member, friend, or care assistant to help you with the process, ensuring that they have followed all the steps as instructed by your doctor. Simultaneously, you should actively seek to learn how to wear a back brace and be independent with the journey as days proceed.
6. Apply Rubbing Alcohol
Your doctor or back specialist must have advised you to apply to rub alcohol before wearing your back brace for more desirable outcomes. Rubbing alcohol assists with preventing your skin from suffering irritation and developing blisters that would worsen the situation.
It also toughens the skin to withstand back braces nearly all day and more in the future for as long as the doctor has advised. Fortunately, it’s just a matter of weeks until your skin gets used to rubbing the alcohol, and you won’t have to apply it every day anymore.
7. Don’t Apply Lotion Under the Brace
As enjoyable as it may seem, applying lotion or petroleum jelly under your brace is highly discouraged. Lotion and petroleum attract moisture beneath the back brace, which can gradually cause skin rashes, sores, and irritation. Instead, doctors recommend applying cornstarch to increase comfort, especially in hot weather, as opposed to lotion and petroleum jelly.
8. Keep Your Back Strong Through Other Exercises
While you seek to achieve the best of your back brace through the best tips, focusing on other exercises for more impressive outcomes would be best. You can undertake controlled gym sessions, nature walks, bike riding, and informal activities across your house.
However, you should engage your doctor regarding the best exercises to avoid further messing up your back. It’s also advisable to keep off heavy duties, eat specific meals, and participate in specific activities as instructed by your doctor for greater results.