Orthopedic back braces have various types but the main use of this equipment is to support the back of the patient. They come in the form of belts, corsets, and jackets that are specially designed to provide stability to the spine or immobilize it. Orthopedic back braces are utilized to treat osteoporosis, infections, low back pain, trauma, neck conditions, and muscular weakness. They can also modify the spine into many positions like upright, neutral, flexed, lateral-flexed, and hyperextended.
The functions of orthopedic back braces are to allow healing to take place, decrease the chance of further injury, control the pain, prevent or correct a deformity, and make up for muscle weakness. Some forms of orthopedic back braces compress the abdomen, thus increasing the intra-abdominal pressure and providing some relief. It also insulates the skin which produces warmth that decrease the sensation of pain, making it very effective for people who have painful back problems.