Back pain? Have you tried an elastic back brace?
By mentalward
@mentalward (14690)
United States
August 26, 2009 12:54pm CST
I have to let you all know about this terrific addition to my wardrobe because it has made such a drastic change in my life.
I have fibromyalgia. The pain is usually worse in my lower back, especially after I've done anything like grocery shopping, gardening, or cleaning around the house, washing dishes, things like that. My back would scream at me to sit down!
While talking with a neighbor, he mentioned that he wore a back brace which he bought from WalMart. It's an elastic thing with Velcro to hold it in place. He said that he suffered from arthritis and has also had back surgery. The brace, he said, has relieved him of so much pain that he doesn't mind any discomfort he might get from wearing it (like, it's hot in the summer heat).
I went out and bought one. Today, I put it on when I first got out of bed. I've been able to do at least four times more than I have been able to do for years now! I've done laundry, some gardening, washed dishes, mopped the floors, straightened up, watered my indoor plants, etc. and the worst I feel right now is fatigue. Without this brace, my back would have forced me to sit down a long time ago.
I wanted to share this with anyone who suffers with back pain because it is making such an incredible difference in my life.
Do you have back pain? Have you tried a brace? Have you thought about trying one? I'm so happy with mine that I'd do a commercial for them! LOL
2 people like this
12 responses
@commanderxo (1494)
• Canada
30 Aug 09
I suffer from D.D.D. in my lower lumbar. For those Mylotters who don't know what DDD is...it's, Degenerative Disk Disorder. It is where the tissuue between the bones of the spine gradually erode away, leaving the bones to grind together. It is extremely painful, and has no cure.
Though I've thought of getting one of these elastic braces many times, I'm not too sure that it would relieve very much pain. My doctor says that the added pressure of such a tense "bandage" probably wouldn't make me feel any better.
I am however glad, that you've found something that helps you.
cdrxo
@Netsbridge (3253)
• United States
27 Aug 09
Your eating habits, folks: Got to address and tackle your health problem(s) by simply eating right! Improper nutrition will cost you a lot! Yes. I can help you, and help you beat the health care industry! Send me a message! There is no illness or disease that cannot be cured!
1 person likes this
@KrauseHome (36445)
• United States
29 Aug 09
Wow!! Thanks for posting this. I actually might have to think about buying one soon and trying it. We have been in the middle of packing getting ready to move into our New house we just bought in a couple of days and when I stand or bend too long putting stuff into boxes my back does scream out in pain and I end up having to go sit down more as well. This is a Great suggestion and I will have to see if it helps me out as well.
@CatsandDogs (13963)
• United States
14 Sep 09
Hi Marti! How are you doing gal? What's going on with your disability claim? Yeah, I have used a back brace before and they do help a great deal. I don't like wearing them in the summer time though for it's too danged hot but if it were inside in air conditioning, then I'd wear it year round if I needed to. I'm glad you got one and that it works great for you!! Awesome!! lol
@CatsandDogs (13963)
• United States
14 Sep 09
That's freaken awesome Marti!! Wow!! You go girl!! LOL Yippee!! I'm doing the happy dance for you!! 
@mentalward (14690)
• United States
14 Sep 09
Hi, Cats! I'm doing okay, now. I've had what I think was that darned swine flu. It sucked. But, it was just the flu, nothing exceptional about it. It totally drained me of energy and caused a lot of aches and pains but I'm on the mend, finally! My energy level is maybe about 50% right now. I'm trying to move around a little bit more each day so I should be back to normal soon. It did scare me, though, when I read that there have been 3 deaths from the swine flu here in Virginia so far. But then those cases were probably either very young, very old or very sick to begin with. I'm not great, but I was able to fight this thing off without the help of my doctor.
About my disability claim, I'm so sorry I didn't get around to telling you, but I finally got my approval letter! Yep! I haven't gotten any money yet but at least I know it's coming. About time, huh? LOL
1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31633)
• United States
26 Aug 09
I might have to try one! How much do they cost? I have scoliosis and arthritis and it's agony for me to stand more than a few minutes. I usually have to do my dishes in stages, in fact, and sit down next to the stove when I cook for any amount of time.
I'm so glad it's made such a difference for you! 
@Netsbridge (3253)
• United States
27 Aug 09
Your eating habits, folks: Got to address and tackle your health problem(s) by simply eating right! Improper nutrition will cost you a lot! Yes, I can help you, and help you beat the health care industry! Send me a message!
@bunnybon7 (50970)
• Holiday, Florida
8 Sep 09
thanks so much. i've thought about it and now im going to have to try it. how much was it i wonder. im so afraid to pay a lot then find out it dont work well. since you recommend it i think i'll try it now, sounds really good. i've also suggested it to son since he complains sometimes with his back and uses some horrible smelling stuff on it that makes me choke to where i have to keep a long distance from whatever room hes in
@mentalward (14690)
• United States
8 Sep 09
The one I bought cost $16.00 and I think it was money well spent, believe me! I've been able to do so much more whenever I wear it.
As for that horrible smelling stuff, I know of something that works better than anything else and has no odor at all. It's called Capzasin. You find it with all those other things like Ben Gay and Icy Hot but this has no smell at all. It doesn't feel "cold", then "hot", it just takes the pain away. It's made from the capsasin found in hot peppers. I'm not entirely sure how it works but my rheumatologist told me about it and I'm forever in her debt! This stuff works!!! It does cost a bit more than the other pain relieving stuff but it's worth it in that it does not smell at all and works so much better! Just thought I'd pass that along in case you son would like to give it a try. Since my rheumatologist recommended it, it's worth trying.
@neildc (17238)
• Lapu-Lapu City, Philippines
27 Aug 09
hi there friend. it's good to hear that you found a relief, at least for your back pains. i think that you are more flexible to do more tasks now that you got that brace. but i hope you will not do too much work. i am already over forty so i also have back pains sometimes. that maybe because i stay in front of the computer for long period of time or maybe caused by frequent driving. fortunately, i will go once i take a rest on the bed or on the floor, to have some stretching of my body. always take care, hugs...
@Opal26 (17679)
• United States
27 Aug 09
Hey mw! I think that is wonderful! I also have to stop after
everything that I do because my lower back starts to hurt!
I have braces for every other part of my body like my
knees, elbow, wrists! So tell me about this back brace!
You got it in Walmart? What brand makes it? I am going to
be near a Walmart tomorrow! If you say that you were able
to do all that stuff without having to stop and without
pain I am definitely willing to buy one too! My back hurts
so bad when I am washing the dishes I want to cry! I have
to keep stopping and sit down! Everything I do I have to
stop and sit down! Can you tell me about how much it cost
so I know how much money to put aside for it? I really hope
I can find it in this Walmart! If not maybe I can find it
in CVS, but I know it will cost three times as much! But,
if it works as well as you say and I can get all my chores
done without back pain it is worth the price! I will be waiting
to hear from you!
@Chevee (5905)
• United States
26 Aug 09
I am happy to hear that your found something that will relieve you of some of your pain and allow you to do some of the things that you like to and have to do around the house with less pain.
I have never had to use one of those back braces, but I did work with a lady once that wore one to work. Her doctor prescribed it for her. It was bulky looking on her and it looked kind of funny the way she was wearing it. She wore it on the outside of her clothes, she had a big mid section so it fit under her stomach. But it did relieve her pain that was the most important thing.
Take Care Chevee.
@thea09 (18305)
• Greece
26 Aug 09
Hi mentalward, glad to hear you've found something to ease off the back pain a bit. The back problems I've had are much higer up from discs but one piece of advice which worked well is always stand and move a certain way, always with stomcah in, chest out, and neck well aligned. I expect that the brace makes you hold yourself more like that, but you need to be conscious of moving like that all the time as it really helps to keep everything stretched in that way, so it's really just enforcing the idea of perfect posture all the time.
@Archie0 (5654)
•
27 Aug 09
I dont think they really work for me, i feel very uneasy when i put them i wait to take them out, they make me feel heavier at waist and my back starts geting strecthed and it pains a lot, My grandmom uses it but she also feels the same but then she still uses it i dont use it but my pain is just the same now.
@kitty42 (3923)
• United States
27 Aug 09
Hi mentalward
I have back pains ever now and then, usually when I am doing something strenuous I like this idea I will purchase one so when I need it I will have it, what I usually do when my back bothers me is let my grandson walk on it, that really works good for me, but I like this brace idea better, thanks for sharing 
I have back pains ever now and then, usually when I am doing something strenuous I like this idea I will purchase one so when I need it I will have it, what I usually do when my back bothers me is let my grandson walk on it, that really works good for me, but I like this brace idea better, thanks for sharing 