Who Should Not Wear a Back Brace? Contraindications Guide
Who should not wear a back brace?
The Quick Answer
Avoid back braces if you have **minor muscle strains** (rest worsens stiffness), **undiagnosed pain** (masking serious conditions), or **osteoporosis with fracture risk** (rigid braces may increase pressure on fragile vertebrae). Never wear braces continuously without medical supervision—prolonged use weakens core muscles, creating dependency. Braces are tools for specific conditions, not universal solutions for back discomfort.
Why We Ask This
Patients self-prescribe braces for vague back pain without diagnosis, potentially delaying treatment for serious conditions like cauda equina syndrome or spinal infection while developing muscle atrophy from unnecessary immobilization.
The Practical Science
Evidence shows braces benefit specific scenarios: post-surgical stabilization, acute disc herniation with radiculopathy, or scoliosis progression in adolescents. For non-specific low back pain, guidelines recommend movement-based therapy over immobilization—bracing beyond 2–4 weeks correlates with 30% higher chronicity rates.
In Clinical Practice
A patient with mechanical low back pain wearing a brace continuously for 6 weeks develops significant core weakness, requiring 8 weeks of targeted rehabilitation to restore muscle function—demonstrating how inappropriate brace use transforms acute pain into chronic disability.
References & Context
Source Link"not-given"