Tap tap... A brace for back pain? Wearing it for long periods is a 'poison'.
Many elderly people complain of back pain as if it were a habit but do not actually go to the hospital and instead endure it with a back brace. Of course, a back brace surrounds the erector spinae muscles that support the spine and acts to stabilize the lower back. However, wearing it for a long time can actually be detrimental to spinal health.
Director Im Jae-hyun of the Gangnam Nanuri Hospital Spine Center said, "The erector spinae muscle runs from the pelvis to the neck and interacts with soft tissues such as bones, discs, ligaments, and nerves," and added, "Wearing a back brace for a long time can weaken the muscles, and if the weakened muscles cannot support the spine well, it can lead to spinal diseases."
In this regard, prolonged wearing is not recommended for patients who have undergone back procedures or surgery. Director Im Jae-hyun stated, "For patients with disc surgery, we recommend wearing for 6 weeks, and for fusion surgery patients, 12 weeks, and advise removing the device at night after wearing it in the morning," adding, "For general individuals excluding those who have had procedures or surgeries, it should not exceed 2 to 3 hours a day."
If worn for longer than this, it is recommended to remove the brace and perform lumbar stretching to relax the muscles.
Director Im Jae-hyun emphasized, "If back pain persists, rather than relying on a brace, you should seek expert medical care to accurately identify the cause of the pain and receive appropriate treatment."
TIP. Lower back stretching to relieve back pain
1) Both knees embrace:
Lie on your back and hold both knees with your hands, pulling them toward your chest and holding for 5 seconds.
2) Stretching over one leg:
Lift one leg and wrap both hands around the back of the thigh, then stretch as high as possible toward the ceiling.
3) Cat pose:
Sit back slowly with both elbows extended, both knees touching the floor, and your hips touching your heels.