Lumbar Supports May Not Be Effective for Low Back Pain

Lumbar supports – also called braces or corsets – are not very effective at preventing low back pain or reducing disability in those who suffer from an arthritic back, according to a review in a recent issue of The Cochrane Library, a publication of The Cochrane Collaboration, an international organization that evaluates medical research.

Researchers at Amsterdam School for Health Professionals in the Netherlands looked at seven prevention and eight treatment studies, which together included 15,798 people. They found little or no difference between people with low-back pain who used back supports and those who received no treatment or education on lifting techniques in back pain prevention or reduction of sick leave.

In four studies, there was little or no difference between patients with acute or chronic back pain who used back supports and those who received no treatment in short-term pain reduction or overall improvement. In three studies there was little or no difference in short-term pain reduction, overall improvement and return-to-work between those who used back supports and those who received manipulation, physiotherapy, or electrical stimulation.

In one study, back supports along with patient education about recovering from back pain were helpful in reducing the number of days of sick leave but not in preventing back pain. In another, back supports plus usual medical care reduced the number of days of low-back pain and improved function, but did not reduce sick leave.

The researchers say conclusions from this review should be viewed with caution due to the low quality of many of the studies. In the future, researchers should report side effects from wearing back supports and measure how many hours per day the supports are actually worn.

Gerrie Reinhardt

06 Dec 2011, 15:06

I started having pain on the upper shoulder in the back. Then the pain moved to the
lower on the right side. It feels like
a twisted knot. The doctor gave a muscle relaxer and pain pills. It never seem to go
away. Do you have any suggestions for me?
I sam goint to be 72 years old in Feb. I am about 20 lbs over weight.
Thank You for your time.

Debbie

23 Aug 2011, 12:51

I agree with Ray- a brace should not be used for long periods of time as it is imperative to keep core muscles strong for any hope of permanent recovery. A custom corset-type back brace has been very useful to me. I have had others that did no good. I only wear it when necessary, but during that time I get enormous relief that helps me get through whatever activity I am attempting. I have been dealing with severe back pain for 9 yrs. with multiple surgeries and ended up with a spinal stimulator that gives partial relief (when it is working).

ray

09 Mar 2011, 03:06

of course if a person just puts a brace on and gets no treatment the person may or may not get some relief. A brace is meant for acute conditions while being treated: chiropractic/PT. or if someone is doing manual work to periodically use. but a brace does not want to be used for long periods of time, because it creates weakness in your core muscles which will but more stress on your spinal joints.

alanderson

13 Oct 2010, 19:34

After reinjuring my lower back, wearing a back brace made it possible for me to sit and stand for longer periods because it reduced the pain so much! I don't believe this research was conducted on people who had back pain from injuries.

jimmy

21 Nov 2009, 19:58

this is not true my wife has been in a back brace for 12 mo. and have got of of drugs.

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Lumbar Supports May Not Be Effective for Low Back Pain

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