Dr. Butwell Finds Back Belts Helpful While Patients Heal
“Would a back belt help me?” That’s a common question Dr. Butwell hears from Georgetown chiropractic patients and others in Georgetown who suffer with back pain and/or leg pain. Using Georgetown back supports has been discussed in the medical literature, and opinion varies even from healthcare provider to healthcare provider. The present literature on using back supports suggests that it is worthwhile and beneficial to wear one for many when they experience back pain. Dr. Butwell works with each individual Georgetown back pain sufferer to discover the answer to the back support question as it relates to his/her particular situation.
BACK BRACES AND MUSCLE TONE
Dr. Butwell has heard the concern that back supports may weaken muscles. However, current research suggests that wearing a back brace does not decisively cause muscle weakness. (1) Elastic lumbar belts increased muscle strengthening, flexibility of lower extremities, flexion, and activities of daily living as well as decreased pain for low back pain patients. (2)
BACK SUPPORTS AND CONFIDENCE IN DAILY ACTIVITY
Dr. Butwell promotes activity while healing mixed with rest as necessary. Long gone are the days of passive bedrest for most Georgetown back pain patients to heal which is why Dr. Butwell encourages gentle, tolerable movement to patients even though they may be worried about moving and evoking pain. That is where back belts come into play. Wearing a lumbar belt improves the functional status, pain level and pain medication use. (3) Back braces reduced pain and fear of pain in back pain patients. (4) Wearing a rigid back brace for three months aided 79% of patients with chronic low back pain experience 30% less pain. (5) A soft lumbosacral support is more successful than a rigid one for posture control and pain control. (6) Dr. Butwell likes support belts that are comfortable and supportive.
BACK BRACES HELP STENOSIS PAIN
Dr. Butwell hosts many Georgetown stenosis patients daily! Spinal stenosis produces back pain and occasionally other issues for which a back support is valuable. Having spinal stenosis patients with intermittent claudication wear a low back brace produced reduced lordosis (spine curvature) and meaningful improvement in walking distance of at least 30% improvement in 82% of the patients. (7) 30% is a good clinical outcome! Medicine says that 30% improvement makes an intervention worthy of use. (8) Back braces may be friends for Georgetown back pain patients!
CONTACT Dr. Butwell
Schedule a Georgetown chiropractic appointment at Dr. Butwell today. Together, Dr. Butwell and you will discover the answer to the question of whether you should wear a back support while healing from Georgetown back pain.
