[GUIDE] How to Put on a Back Brace with Straps (2025)

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Do you know how to put on a back brace with straps? Read our handy guide to go from beginner to pro in minutes.

Doctors usually recommend back braces for a range of conditions. For instance, it can be used to treat scoliosis that is a spinal lateral curvature. Orthopedic doctors can also advise you to wear a back brace post surgery as it helps speed up the recovery process. Or, perhaps you can choose to go a back brace that provides lumbosacral support when lifting heavy objects in your line of duty.

In any case, back braces are specially designed to help improve spinal health and alleviate back pain and other related conditions. For most patients, wearing a back brace is one of the best non-invasive solutions for treating chronic back conditions. The best thing about back braces is that they are easy to use.

Getting used to wearing a back brace takes some time before it becomes part of your daily routine. In this case, it would be best to have a positive attitude putting in mind that the back brace is meant to help you enjoy better health in the long run. Plus, you need to ensure you’re wearing the back brace correctly to get the most out of it.

Similarly, taking proper care of the back brace helps keep it in great condition so that it can serve its intended purpose. Keep reading to find out more about wearing and caring for a back brace with straps.

Who Can Wear a Back Brace with Straps?

Back braces are designed to serve different purposes for different conditions. Generally, the primary role of a back brace is to provide ultimate support and limit movement. For instance, the best back braces for scoliosis help prevent the spine from further curving while limiting unnecessary movements that may interfere with the healing process. However, you may need to wear the brace for about 23 hours a day for effective results.

Here are other conditions that stand to benefit from wearing a lower back brace;

Spinal stenosis
Muscle strain
Lower back pain
Herniated disc
Degenerative disc diseases
Spondylitis
Osteoarthritis
Post-operative healing
Muscle strain and sprains
Compression fracture among others

Types of Back Braces

Generally, back braces are either soft or rigid. Rigid back braces are like a plastic shell with a Velcro fastener. Soft braces, on the other hand, are elastics and sometimes incorporate Velcro straps for fastening. A brace either helps support or align the spine to prevent further injuries as speed up the healing process.

As earlier mentioned, there are many types of back braces available on the market to help treat a range of conditions. Ensure you choose the right one even though it can be a bit challenging owing to the many different varieties available.

How to Put on a Back Brace with Straps

You need to wear the brace correctly to avoid compromising its effectiveness. You can follow these simple steps to wear you back brace with straps properly:

You may need help wearing your back brace with straps especially if you are suffering from a painful back condition. However, if you choose to do it on your own, then use a chair to avoid further injuries. In this case:

Place the back brace on the chair with the wings open loosely on the right and left side. Lay it flat and try locating the top of the support. Once you’re done, sit on the chair and start applying the back brace like a traditional backpack by placing your arms in the straps.

Stand up while holding the wings and try securing them in place. But first:

Grab the back support and put it over the centre of your back ensuring the support rests over the waistline right above your pants.

Use your left hand to fold in the left side wing and the right hand to fold the wing on the right side ensuring you’re pulling them tightly then lock then securely in place starting from the bottom.

Repeat the above process with the double-pull tension straps as well. It should have a snug fit, neither too loose nor too tight to prevent friction and irritation. Once you’re done, adjust the suspenders to suit your needs.

Wear A Shirt Under the Back Brace

Always wear the back brace as prescribed by the doctor depending on the type of brace and your condition. It’s important to follow the instructions provided to ensure the brace works effectively without any compromises for best results.

Wearing a shirt under the back brace helps prevent aggravation of the skin. Always wear a shirt that has the following characteristics:

Clean
Extends the length of the back brace
Doesn’t have side seams
Is made of soft cotton
Tight-fitting

Ensure the shirt doesn’t have any wrinkles and is snugly pulled down. Most back braces virtually disappear underneath clothing so you can wear then under different types of clothes. However, loose clothing come highly recommended since they are more comfortable in this case.

In addition, keep the skin under the brace as clean and dry as possible. Avoid applying moisturizers and lotions since they can cause irritation that results in sores. In this case, rubbing alcohol can help as it not only helps toughen the skin but also prevent severe irritation and skin breakdown. For this reason, you can use your hands to apply rubbing alcohol on parts of the skin that will come in contact with the brace.

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