How To Clean A Back Brace: A Quick Guide 

Our backs can be strained because of a number of reasons. This can be due to overworking, carrying heavy items, osteoporosis, irregularities in the backbone structure, and more. Any back injury can be an extremely inconvenient experience. That is why the invention of a back brace is heaven-sent. A back brace can provide relief by limiting your movement, so you do not further strain your back. Owning a back brace can be costly, which is why maintenance is essential. Read on to find out how to clean a back brace and discover other information that you can use to maintain your back brace's quality.

Back Brace: What Is It For, Types Available

Wearing a back brace must first be confirmed and prescribed by a doctor. It usually is part of a comprehensive program for recovery or correction. This means that wearing a back brace without a proper prescription will prove more harmful than useful in the long term. An owner should also know how to take care and how to clean a back brace for it to last the prescribed amount of time that needs to be worn.

Back braces come as rigid, semi-rigid, and flexible. Rigid braces are usually used post-operation and address severe pain and instability, such as a fracture. Semi-rigid and elastic braces are used for mild to moderate pain experienced in the lower back.

 There are a number of reasons a back brace is worn. Here are some: 

• Healing post-surgery. After surgery, you wouldn’t want to strain your back further. A rigid back brace can limit movement until your back is fully healed. 
• Muscle strain. Sometimes, a flexible back brace is used to ease the pain. However, it is not recommended for prolonged use. 
• Vertebral slip. This can cause pain, which is why a rigid brace can be used to help reduce and limit movement. As a result, this will keep the pain at bay. 
• Fractures. Vertebral fractures need rest for recovery. A rigid to semi-rigid back brace can help limit movement until full recovery.  

More severe cases can require a back brace such as degenerative disc disease or spinal stenosis. A back brace is useful in correcting posture. It also shifts the weight away from the spine down to the abdomen. 

Back braces have similarities and contain the same essential parts:

• Panels. These panels cover the back brace from front to back. The back panel is made of hard plastic so it can effectively keep your back fixed in the proper posture. The front panel is also durable enough to be adequately wrapped around your abdomen. 
• Side brace wings. This limits your movement around the torso area. Post operational back braces have additional features to keep your change at a strict minimum.
• Adjustments. Back braces can be adjusted with cords or pull tabs to ensure a tight and proper fit. 

Back Brace: Tips When Worn and Tips For Care

Things to remember when wearing a back brace:

Wearing a back brace is beneficial mainly when it is used as prescribed. However, it can also be an inconvenience. Back braces can limit movement. If you’re not used to it, you might end up harming yourself or prolonging the treatment. Here are some of the few things you can do to make wearing a back brace bearable:

1. Do not hesitate to ask for assistance. Back braces have to be appropriately worn for proper treatment. You do not want to feel uncomfortable in your back brace just because it was not worn the right way.  
2. Wear a comfortable, ideally seamless shirt underneath your back brace. Back brace can be forceful on the skin since it is meant to correct your posture and limit your movement. You don’t want to have sores on your sides and other areas because of the back brace. Invest in some comfortable and tight shirts that you can wear underneath your back brace. 
3. Clean your skin and apply rubbing alcohol on the skin that could experience strain from the back brace. 
4. Stay in a cold environment. Humidity can cause skin irritation, especially with your back brace tight on the skin. Some back brace users have attested to feeling more comfortable with a back brace in colder environments. 
5. Always follow your doctor’s orders and keep your back brace from unwanted elements by wearing a loose shirt or dress over it. The success of your treatment will entirely be based on how obedient you are in following specific instructions. Sometimes you will be told to wear it while sleeping. While this may seem uncomfortable, following the doctor’s can give you the fastest healing process. 

How to clean a back brace:

A back brace does not come cheap. Since it’s meant to be attached to your body almost all the time, you will have to make sure you know how to clean a back brace. Here are some tips that you can follow. 

• Clean your back brace daily using clean water and soap. 
• Do not use harmful chemicals like bleach on your back brace. Soap and water should be enough to clean it thoroughly. Some pads in your back brace can be removed, so make sure you remove it to wash hard to reach areas. 
• Make sure the back brace is thoroughly rinsed and is completely dry before wearing it again. 
• Use a lint roller. Invest in a right lint roller to remove any lint and debris that might stick on the surface of your back brace.  
• Check if your back brace needs any changing of parts. Your doctor should be able to provide you with the parts that need changing. 
• Sometimes, your back brace can have soap residue, which may cause skin irritation. It is safe to use rubbing alcohol for this case. However, it should only be limited to once a week to avoid any damage.