Back braces have been around for a while and have been a really great help in relieving back pain issues over the years, but it seems quite hard to find the perfect back brace that includes the features most people will need. Well, look no further, LumbarMate™ from OrthoRelieve is a new all-inclusive back brace that brings lumbar support and protection to a whole new level.
LumbarMate™ can be used to deal with many back related conditions such as:
- Bulging or herniated discs
- Pinched nerves
- Sciatica
- Scoliosis
- Strains and sprains
- Osteoporosis
- Piriformis syndrome
- Loose ligaments
- Degenerative Disc Disease
- And many other conditions
Steel Lumbosacral Support
LumbarMate™ comes with a piece of contoured steel lumbosacral support plate for the lower back as well as a pair of contoured side splints that support the quadratus lumborum (QL) region at each side of the lower back, providing a strong, rigid and stable support and protection system to the entire lower back and side area. Apart from the steel supports, an alternate and identical set of supports made of flexible ABS plastic is also included in the package. This set is exactly identical to the steel set, except that they're flexible and can be bended. All the support plate and splints can be inserted and removed from special slot pockets built into the back of the brace, which is the main selling point of this back brace because no other brace on the market allows for such flexibility.
3 Therapy Pads
OrthoRelieve's LumbarMate™ package also comes included with 3 square detachable therapy pads that can be attached onto the inner sides of the brace with Velcro. These 3 pads perform a specific unique function.
1. Tourmaline self heating pad
- This special pad contains tourmaline stones which heat up on contact with your skin, providing you with soothing hot compress therapy. The stones absorb heat from your skin and radiates back into it. You will start to feel the warmth after about 15 to 20 minutes of wearing. This helps improve blood circulation and reduces pain.
2. Mesh pad with pocket
- This breathable mesh pad comes with a pocket if you wish to insert an ice pack for cold compress treatment. Ice packs are sold separately.
3. Velvet comfort pad
- This comfortable pad is made from soft velvet and is used as an additional layer of cushion and warmth.
Double Pull Tension Straps
LumbarMate™ comes with special double pull tension straps that add reinforced support to the lumbar region. The belt is first wrapped around the waist and secured with Velcro, then the secondary pull straps on each side are pulled towards the front and secured as well. The 2 straps are anchored to the back support plate, so the pulling motion "pushes" the plates further into your lower back, adding stability and firmness with a tight wrap around support.
Hot Compress therapy
Hot compress therapy (or thermotherapy) is the process of subjecting an area on the body to a targeted heat source to raise its temperature. Heat treatment for injury recovery has been used for hundreds of years as a medical cure and has been known to loosen stiff joints and soothe out aching muscles. When a sore joint or sprained muscle is subjected to heat, the blood vessels around the area get larger, allowing more blood, oxygen, and nutrients to be delivered to the injured tissues to facilitate recovery and promote faster healing. The improved blood circulation as a result of the heat treatment quickly suppresses pain and soreness.
Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS)
A word needs to said about Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS). Have you ever experienced aching muscles that start only a few days after a workout? That's Delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS). It is pain and soreness in the muscle that begins one or two days after a workout. Research has shown that heat therapy can reduce delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS) by up to 47% just 24 hours after your exercise. However do note that you have to apply heat immediately after the workout to get the best results and not wait until it's too late. LumbarMate's self heating tourmaline pads help to prevent DOMS in the lower back.Usage Flexibility And Customized Recovery
What's unique about LumbarMate™ is that you can configure it to suit different levels of recovery and support. As a protective back brace, you may choose the steel supports if you're doing heavy lifting work so as to offer more protection and prevent injury to your lower back. Steel supports may also come in handy if you're going about doing household chores or gardening, where you have to be constantly bending and squatting down. If you're using LumbarMate™ while sitting in the office then the flexible supports may be a better option.
As a rehabilitative brace for injury recovery, you can choose to use the steel supports if you require a stronger level of support and protection. Once your recovery advances and the pain subsides, you body might develop more flexibility in movement, so the rigid steel supports won't be as necessary and you can replace them with the flexible plastic supports. As your recovery progresses further, you may even choose to remove all support plates and splints. You can also vary the combination of supports. For example, you may choose to use the steel plates for the lower back, but insert the flexible side splints for the quadratus lumborum (QL) region. It is all up to your individual comfort level and recovery stage. LumbarMate™ allows that flexibility in customizing your rehabilitation journey to suit you. The lumbosacral supports can also be mixed and matched with whichever function pad you like. Both hot compress and cold compress options are available.
What's The Difference Between Hot Compress An Cold Compress?
Hot, or warm compress treatment boosts the blood flow and nutrients to that specific area of the body that has heat applied. It often works best to warm up muscles before physical activity or to reduce morning muscle stiffness. Cold compress on the other hand, slows the blood flow, which in turn reduces pain and swelling. It's best used for muscle sprains or strains. The general rule is to use a hot compress on muscle stiffness and pain and use a cold compress on swelling and inflammation.
Comparison Of LumbarMate™ To Other Back Braces
Many back braces on the market come with either or any of the functionalities described above, but not all. LumbarMate™ has taken lumbar support back braces to a new level with multiple functionalities and the ability to customize your recovery through replaceable lumbosacral supports, and with the option to complement your recovery with hot or cold compress therapy as well - all in one brace! Below is a chart comparing LumbarMate™ the typical competitor brands.
LumbarMate™ can be purchased here: