With more people working from home, there are plenty of posture issues and back issues starting to appear. We'll talk through 6 of the best braces.
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One of the silver linings of 2020? Without a doubt, working from home. It rewarded many hardworking Americans with more flexibility, less stress, and more time with family.
But despite its many advantages, working in a home office setup — especially hunched over a laptop — also had its share of drawbacks. Cases of lower back and neck pain are on the rise according to a 2020 study.
The study, which examined work-related stress and musculoskeletal (MSK) issues among other things, found that 41.2 percent of study participants reported an increase in lower back pain in home office setups.
This, of course, has led to an uptick of interest in ergonomic desk furniture and orthopedic back braces, according to doctor of chiropractic, Dr. Allen Conrad, BS, DC, CSCS.
“As more people started to work from home over the past few years, the need for over-the-counter braces has increased,” he says. “An orthopedic brace will help with stiffness and pain, and allow users to sit or stand with additional spinal support.
“As a result, these products help home workers be more productive and improve their posture,” he says.
Keep in mindWhen it comes to back brace products in general, it is important to note that back braces are most effective when used at the recommendation of and under the supervision of a physician. Although the mechanics of back braces are effective at relieving pain, braces are a band aid solution that may not address underlying conditions that are the source of pain.
While back braces are more available to consumers than ever before, not all products are created equal.
To help you find a product best suited for your needs, we examine who benefits most from a back brace, factors to consider when choosing one, and product recommendations from experts.