Back Support: What you need to know
When it comes to heavy lifting, making sure your back is adequately supported and protected is a fundamental step to ensuring your safety. Most commonly used by those working in manual handling, back supports are an ideal method to help ease the day to day strain of bending and heavy lifting.
Back pain is often extremely debilitating and can be triggered by various medical conditions such as a slipped disk, arthritis or sciatica. Originally used in medical rehabilitation therapy, back supports and belts are an effective way to provide temporary relief from recurring back pain. Whilst your body has a natural tendency to remain stiff in the particular areas where you feel pain, if you persistently stiffen your muscles, this will not assist in the healing process and may actually hinder your recovery.
Back support is not only used to make pain more manageable by those with a pre-existing injury, it can also be used as a preventative measure to avoid causing unnecessary damage. Back belts are used as a non-invasive way to rest the spine and allow time for healing, as they will mimic the body’s internal support system and provide additional aid to the lower back.
A large amount of back support belts are manufactured using an elastic or neoprene rubber, which makes the supports suitable for everyday use as they can easily be worn underneath clothing. Neoprene is made of elastic-type properties, making the belt ideal for when flexibility is needed. Neoprene also consists of small closed cells which are filled with air, meaning the support belts can assist with providing insulation; keeping your muscles and tissues warm. Some forms of back support however are manufactured without elasticated materials. The rigid reinforcements used in this type of support are ideal to assist with the recovery of more severe spinal injuries as they can limit movements of the wearer and avoid over exertion.
Frequently undergoing repetitive tasks that involve lifting heavy loads can contribute to a build up of potential damage on the back. As a result of this, some companies are now making back supports compulsory, especially those in manual labour, in order to ensure the safety of their workers.
Can’t see the advantage of wearing back support? Take a look at this list highlighting the various benefits that back supports have to offer.
The Benefits of Wearing Back Support
A large amount of back support belts are manufactured using an elastic or neoprene rubber, which makes the supports suitable for everyday use as they can easily be worn underneath clothing. Neoprene is made of elastic-type properties, making the belt ideal for when flexibility is needed. Neoprene also consists of small closed cells which are filled with air, meaning the support belts can assist with providing insulation; keeping your muscles and tissues warm. Some forms of back support however are manufactured without elasticated materials. The rigid reinforcements used in this type of support are ideal to assist with the recovery of more severe spinal injuries as they can limit movements of the wearer and avoid over exertion.
Frequently undergoing repetitive tasks that involve lifting heavy loads can contribute to a build up of potential damage on the back. As a result of this, some companies are now making back supports compulsory, especially those in manual labour, in order to ensure the safety of their workers.
Can’t see the advantage of wearing back support? Take a look at this list highlighting the various benefits that back supports have to offer.
The Benefits of Wearing Back Support
- Improves and supports posture - Having good posture isn’t merely a cosmetic issue. Wearing back support helps to improve your posture significantly, which therefore reduces fatigue and stress on the muscles, allowing you to maintain an upright position without substantial effort. Similarly, frequent slouching can restrict the movement of oxygen around your body, which can consequently impact your overall levels of energy.
- Non-medical pain relief - Back supports have been known to instantaneously provide relief to those with existing medical conditions. The additional compression supplied by the back support will ease existing pain and help to reduce any inflammation without the need for any unnecessary medicines.
- Re-educates your muscles - Back supports help to stabilise your muscles in the lower spine area of your back, providing you with increased strength and mobility.
- Reduces the load on your spine - Back belts act as an external set of muscles, helping to reduce exertion on your spine, and therefore assist with stabilising your spinal cord. The result? More flexibility; less strain.
- Adjustable straps and sizes - Most back supports are equipped with a contoured design to fit the exact shape of your body and individual build, meaning you can adjust the belt accordingly to maximise your comfort.
- Low-cost devices - Supportive back belts are a cost effective way of helping to prevent injuries, allowing you to continue with your daily activities as normal and help to avoid taking time off work.
- Don’t become dependant on your back support; it is simply there to act as a preventative measure or aid relief and is not to be relied upon. Your spinal support should not give you a false sense of security, making you believe you can lift more than capable - also referred to as Superman Syndrome.
- Use back support devices mindfully and with caution. Regular use can actually weaken the muscles and make you more vulnerable to sustaining injury.
- Back supports are to be worn in conjunction with safe practice of manual handling and heavy lifting, as they are merely there to assist, rather than increase your lifting skills. It is therefore essential you use appropriate judgement of your own physical abilities, as back support will not be effective if you are lifting too much, or using an unsafe technique.
- Ensure the support belt is secure at all times, but only tighten it during strenuous activities. Take the belt off during breaks or at home to ensure you give your body a rest.
- It might be an idea to wear a dark coloured back support if it is going to be worn in an unclean environment.
- Make sure you know the cause of your back pain and seek medical advice if the problem persists.