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A back support belt is a belt that wraps around the lower back to support the lower spine and improve posture. They may benefit people with lower back pain or chronic conditions affecting the lower back.
When purchasing a back support belt, a person must consider certain factors, such as the type of medical condition or pain they have, and the type of support they need.
This article outlines six of the best back support belts available online. We also describe what a back support belt is, outline its pros and cons, and provide tips on what to look for when purchasing. Finally, we answer some frequently asked questions about back support belts, and offer advice on when to see a doctor.
A quick look at some of the best back support belts
- Best for posture support: RiptGear Back Brace
- Best for hot or cold therapy: Flexguard Lower Back Support Belt
- Best for firm lumbar support: Mueller Adjustable Back Brace
- Best for back and stomach support: Deluxe Comfort FLA Lumbar Sacral Back Support
- Best for compression: Sparthos Back Brace
- Best for muscle strains: King of Kings Lower Back Brace
A back support belt is a belt that a person wears to provide support to the lower back or “lumbar” region.
Back support belts are usually adjustable, lightweight, and comfortable to wear. Some feature added compression for additional support, though these types may limit a person’s movement.
Some potential advantages of back support belts include:
- limiting movement, which may reduce the risk of additional injury and promote healing
- providing extra lumbar support
- alleviating pain
- improving posture
Some potential disadvantages of back support belts include:
- increased risk of skin irritation and lesions if a person wears the belt incorrectly
- inappropriate level of support if the belt is too tight or does not fit properly
How we choose products
Medical News Today chooses products that fit the following criteria:
- Budget: Products that are available in a range of budgets.
- Features: Products that have different features, such as adjustable size, pockets, and additional support.
- Materials: Products with a range of materials, such as lightweight and breathable fabric.
Below are some back support belts available to buy online.
Please note that the writer of this article has not tried these products. All information presented is purely research-based and correct at the time of publication.
Medical News Today follows a strict product selection and vetting process. Learn more here.
Best for posture support: RiptGear Back Brace
The RiptGear Back Brace is a unisex belt available in black or blue, and in sizes ranging from small to 3XL.
The brace contains comfortable and lightweight and breathable materials, including neoprene, nylon, and spandex. As such, the belt is suitable to wear for extended periods.
RiptGear states that the brace is firm, flexible, and adjustable, and notes that it contains four back support stabilizers for extra support. The company recommends the brace for people who require lumbar and posture support.
At the time of publishing, the RiptGear Back Brace has a list price of around $39.
Key product characteristics
- Materials:
- neoprene
- nylon
- spandex
- Adjustability: adjustable straps
- Size range:
- small
- medium
- large
- XL
- XXL
- XXXL
- Pricing: around $39
Best for hot or cold therapy: Flexguard Lower Back Support Belt
This unisex support belt is available in two sizes; medium/large and XL.
The belt contains neoprene, which the company claims is both comfortable and firm.
People can adjust the belt with a pulley system. It also contains vertical metal bars to help keep the back straight.
Additionally, the belt features mesh pockets for inserting hot or cold packs. This may benefit those who require heat or cold to soothe aches and pains.
Learn more about hot and cold therapy.
The company states this product is suitable for the following:
- back pain
- herniated disks
- sciatica
- post-surgical care
At the time of publishing, the Flexguard Lower Back Support Belt is available for around $30.
Key product characteristics
- Materials: neoprene
- Adjustability: pulley system
- Size range: medium/large and XL
- Pricing: around $30
Best for firm lumbar support: Mueller Adjustable Back Brace
This brace consists of neoprene, which Mueller claims is lightweight and breathable. People may find this brace comfortable to wear for longer periods.
The product contains eight steel springs that mold to a person’s back shape to provide firm lumbar support. The adjustable cut can reportedly fit most adults.
Mueller states this back brace is most suitable for people with lower back pain and back strains and sprains.
At the time of publishing, the Mueller Adjustable Back Brace has a list price of around $17.
Key product characteristics
- Materials: neoprene
- Adjustability: adjustable compression
- Size range: one size, which fits a 28- to 50-inch waist
- Pricing: around $17
Best for back and stomach support: Deluxe Comfort FLA Lumbar Sacral Back Support
This back support belt is available in only one size: XXL.
Deluxe Comfort states that the product’s tapered front and V-shaped back provides a comfortable fit for most people. The product also features a 10-inch wide elastic band that people can use to adjust the fit.
This product features a hook and loop closure system for a secure fit. It also features an overlapping abdominal belt for additional stomach support and lift.
At the time of publishing, the Deluxe Comfort FLA Lumbar Sacral Back Support has a list price of around $35.
Key product characteristics
- Materials: elastic
- Adjustability: adjustable hook and loop closures
- Size range: medium to XXL
- Pricing: around $35
Best for compression: Sparthos Back Brace
This back support brace is available in three sizes; small, medium, and large.
The brace features the following:
- breathable polyester material to help ensure comfort during wear
- elasticated mesh for stretchiness and comfort
- firm support stays
- heavy-duty Velcro to keep the belt in place
- a removable lumbar pad that provides extra support to the lower back
Sparthos states this product is suitable for people with the following:
- back pain
- muscle soreness
- herniated disks
- scoliosis
- sciatica
At the time of publishing, the Sparthos Back Brace has a list price of around $35.
Key product characteristics
- Materials:
- breathable mesh
- nylon
- polyester
- Adjustability: removable and adjustable lumbar pad
- Size range:
- small
- large
- XXL
- Pricing: from around $35
Best for muscle strains: King of Kings Lower Back Brace
This unisex design is available in four sizes, ranging from small to XL. It comprises breathable non-neoprene and nonelastic knit fabric.
The company claims the design allows for natural movement while providing comfortable support.
This product also features a pulley system, so a person can adjust the fit and apply the right amount of pressure they require. The belt also has two nylon bars to support the lumbar muscles in the waist.
King of Kings states this product is suitable for individuals with a range of back injuries, including muscle strains.
At the time of publishing, the King of Kings Lower Back Brace has a list price of around $50.
Key product characteristics
- Materials: non-neoprene and non-elastic knit
- Adjustability: adjustable pulley system
- Size range:
- small
- medium
- large
- XL
- Pricing: from around $50
The following tables compares the back braces in this article
| RiptGear Back Brace | Flexguard Lower Back Support Belt | Mueller Adjustable Back Brace | Deluxe Comfort FLA Lumbar Sacral Back Support | Sparthos Back Brace | King of Kings Lower Back Brace | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | neoprene, nylon, spandex | neoprene | neoprene | elastic | breathable mesh, nylon, polyester | non-neoprene and non-elastic knit |
| Adjustability | adjustable straps | pulley system | adjustable compression | adjustable hook and loop closures | adjustable lumbar pad | adjustable pulley system |
| Size range | small–3XL | medium/large , XL | 28- to 50-inch waist | one size (XXL) | small, large, XXL | small–XL |
| Pricing | around $39 | around $30 | around $17 | around $35 | around $35 | around $50 |
A person may wish to consider the following when purchasing a back support belt:
- Material: A back support belt may contain inbuilt structures or compression materials for additional support. Types with breathable and lightweight materials may also reduce the risk of skin irritation or lesions during wear.
- Flexibility: Some back support belts are soft and flexible, while others are rigid and constrict movement.
- Additional features: Some belts offer extra features that may be useful for some people, such as pockets for heat or cold packs, or extra supportive materials. These additional features may increase the product cost.
A 2018 study investigated the effectiveness of a back brace among 22 female participants with chronic back pain. In this study, participants who wore a back brace for 8 weeks experienced significant improvements in back muscle stabilization and a significant reduction in pain compared to participants who did not wear a brace.
Back support belts may also help with the following conditions:
- post-operative healing
- osteoarthritis
- spondylitis
- herniated disks
- vertebral compression fractures
- muscle strains
Additionally, a
An individual should seek advice from a doctor if their back pain does not go away after a few weeks, becomes severe, or interrupts their daily activities.
People should seek emergency medical advice if any of the following symptoms accompany their back pain:
- numbness or tingling in the genitals
- difficulty urinating
- a loss of bladder or bowel control
- chest pain
- high temperature
- unintentional weight loss
- swelling of the back
- pain that is worse at night
- pain that worsens when sneezing, coughing, or going to the toilet
Below are some answers to frequently asked questions about back support belts.
Do lumbar supports work?
Research into lumbar supports yields mixed results.
A
However, a separate
How can a person choose the right back support?
The back support a person requires depends on various factors, including:
- the type of back condition or back pain they have
- the tissues involved, which may include bones, muscles, or tendons
- the location of the pain
People need to consider whether they need lower, middle, or upper back support, and whether the affected tissues may also benefit from heat or cold therapy.
People who need to wear the back support for a long period of time should purchase a product made from lightweight and breathable materials. Doing so will help reduce skin irritation.
Are there alternative options to back support belts?
Some alternatives to back support belts include back braces and back support cushions, both of which may help alleviate lower back pain.
Alternatively, people may use a hot or cold compress to soothe back pain and sore muscles.
Learn more about home remedies for back pain.
If a person’s back pain does not go away by itself, they should contact a doctor, who may recommend physical therapy and back exercises.
How does a back support belt work?
Back support belts are marketed as products that a person can use to:
- support the tissues of the lower back
- limit range of motion to aid healing and help prevent additional injury
- align the back to promote healthy movement and posture
- alleviate back pain
Are back support belts good for you?
Research on the effectiveness of a back support belt is limited. Some studies suggest that back support belts can
Excessive use of a back support belt can reduce muscle strength in the trunk, which could make a person’s back pain worse.
Can a back brace cause constipation?
Some people who use back braces complain of digestive problems caused by pressure on their abdomens. For others, using a back brace improves their alignment and supports healthy bowel movements.
The key is for people to avoid wearing a back brace so often that the stomach and back muscles weaken, which could make constipation more likely.
When should I wear a back support belt?
A back support belt is not designed for long-term or all-day use. A person who wears a back support belt too frequently can actually weaken their core muscles, or cause them to atrophy, which could worsen their back problems. Spending too much time in a back support belt can irritate the skin, causing chafing or sores.
It can be helpful to wear a back support belt when doing strenuous activities or anything a person knows might make their back hurt. It is best to limit use of a back support belt to a few hours a day, for a few days, or under the guidance of a physician.
Back support belts provide lumbar support and may reduce lower back pain associated with various conditions, including muscle strains and sprains, osteoarthritis, and herniated disks.
There are several back support belts available to purchase online, and some of these have additional features at extra cost.
Anyone who experiences continuing or worsening back pain should contact their doctor, who may be able to provide a diagnosis or offer other treatments.