Choosing the Right Support Belt

There are various types of support belts:

• Belts to support the lumbar vertebrae
• Belts for the thoracolumbar region (lumbar and thoracic vertebrae)
• Belts for the sacroiliac region (joints between the pelvic bones and the sacrum)
• Belts for the abdominal region (especially for pregnant women)

Each type of support belt has different levels of rigidity:

• Soft support belts: Soft or flexible back orthoses offer the lowest level of support. However, they are very practical in the event of a minor injury, as they allow great freedom of movement.
• Semi-rigid support belts: An intermediate solution, semi-rigid belts offer greater comfort of use, particularly because of their increased range of movement, while incorporating support elements such as straps or plastic tabs. They offer an extra level of stability compared with soft belts and are suitable for mild to moderate back pain.
• Rigid support belts: Pathologies such as more severe lower back pain and post-operative immobilization sometimes require reinforced support. In these cases, rigid back orthoses are preferred, with hard plastic or metal supports to ensure maximum stability. Although offering considerable support, these rigid belts greatly restrict the range of movement.

Otto Bock semi-rigid lumbar support belt

It’s important to consider a number of criteria when choosing a support belt, such as the part of the spine it supports, its level of rigidity, its size, its comfort of use, and the materials used to cover it.

• Part of the spine supported: It’s best to follow the recommendations of a doctor or physiotherapist to choose the best type of support belt for the area of the spine to be immobilized (see first question).
• Level of support and rigidity: Support belts can be flexible, semi-rigid or rigid (see first question).
• Size: Most commercially available support belts are one-size-fits-all, but some have straps or laces to ensure a snug fit. Some belts are custom-made to fit a person’s body perfectly.
• Comfort of use: Support belts should be easy to use, comfortable to wear and easy to adjust.
• Cover materials: Support belts are often made from cotton, canvas or neoprene. The type of material they are made of is therefore important, particularly the type of cover that comes into direct contact with the skin (see last question).

Bort sacroiliac support belt

In addition to the main criteria mentioned above, there are a number of other aspects that need to be taken into account:

• Reliability and ease of maintenance: Machine-washable support belts are easier to maintain. Those with Velcro can wear out more quickly, while stretchy models can stretch after a certain amount of time and regular use.
• Color: Depending on the brand, there are several colors available, such as black, white, grey ,or beige, for greater discretion.
• Price: Support belts can cost between €50 and €100 on average. Some high-quality models, which adapt perfectly to the wearer’s morphology, can cost as much as €150 or €200.
• Use: Your choice of support belt will also depend on how you intend to use it for minor injuries, whether for activities such as gardening, exercise, or leisure.

Bauerfeind rigid thoracolumbar support belt

There are several types of material to choose from for your support belt: cotton, polyester, rayon, and wool. Here are their advantages and disadvantages.

• Cotton:
  • Advantages: It’s biodegradable, natural, resistant, hypoallergenic, comfortable, and breathable.
  • Disadvantages: Cotton requires a lot of water to produce and is more expensive than other materials.
• Polyester:
  • Advantages: Polyester is very inexpensive and comfortable.
  • Disadvantages: It is not biodegradable and can change when exposed to temperature variations.

• Rayon/Viscose:
  • Advantages: It is a comfortable, inexpensive material that tolerates dyeing well.
  • Disadvantages: It is potentially hazardous to health due to the added chemicals and it is not durable.

• Wool:
  • Advantages: Wool is biodegradable, natural, and durable.
  • Disadvantages: It is not hypoallergenic and therefore presents potential allergy risks. It also falls into the unethical category in terms of animal protection.

WingMED abdominal support belt