Winter Weather Activities Bring On Back Pain
Winter weather in Doylestown has returned to snow, and with snow comes shoveling. Unfortunately, snow shoveling often causes back pain, in both new and pre-existing back pain sufferers. Fortunately, the team at Bucks County Orthopedic Specialists can provide alternatives for more immediate support and pain relief.
Back pain, interestingly, is more common in women than in men. Nearly a third of female adults suffer from lower back pain compared to a quarter of males. Did you know that 80% of Americans will have back problems at some point during their lifetimes? According to the Mayo Clinic back pain is the third most common health care complaint for which patients seek medical advice.
Options for Back Pain Relief at the DME Store
Many back pain sufferers turn to support products and braces looking for relief, only to find that the store-bought options don’t seem to work quite right or fit properly. At BCOS, our durable medical equipment (DME) specialists are available to custom fit you to make sure you’re getting the best product for your needs and it’s sized perfectly for you.
Here are some of our favorite back products to help you get through your snow shoveling needs and support you throughout your day:
- DMI Lumbar Support Roll is simple product with a great benefit. It provides lumbar support for the lower lumbar back and is ideal for both office/home seating or a car. It has a firm foam construction for maximum support and comes with an elastic strap to help hold the cushion in place.
- For those with localized low back pain centralized in the sacroiliac joint (space between your hip and buttocks), we have the Evergreen SI Belt by Aspen Medical Products. This thin width belt compresses the sacroiliac joint by using a pull-tab traction system. It is much lower profile than most other back braces available and is designed with traction strips to help ensure it stays in place at the sacroiliac joint level. This design still allows for excellent motion if you are very active.
- The United Ortho Low Profile Lumbar Stabilization Brace is smaller longitudinally than most back braces and very comfortable to wear. “This one is my personal favorite,” shares Jonathan Hirsch, PA and BCOS DME specialist. “Most of my patients have instant relief when they try it on and find it’s particularly great for those with active lifestyles.” With a semi-rigid back panel that is padded, a breathable material that is lightweight, and a dual wrap tightening system for extra beneficial lumbar compression/stabilization, this brace is easily hidden under clothing and can be used for a wide variety of back problems including lumbar strain, lumbar spondylosis and spondylolisthesis.
- The “Cadillac” lumbar back brace by Coreflex is called the Lace Align Spine Lumbar Orthosis. This is a larger back brace support with a more rigid back panel. Still comfortable and comes with all the bells and whistles. The Lace Align has a more rigid back panel that is removable. It features a built-in pull-tab tightening system, an enveloping designed back panel to hide the pull-tab system, and easy and strong Velcro closure. Handgrips are sewn in to help close the brace easier. The fabric is called “outlast material” which is a cooling fabric to improve comfort. It also has an abdominal rigid support as well, to complete the brace for abdominal and lumbar support. The Lace Align comes with an insertable ice pack/heat pack.
Expanding Your Arsenal
While the snow can be beautiful, the shoveling doesn’t have to be ugly. Let our specialists at BCOS help you find a DME solution to support you through the season and every day. When you have questions about products or the services offered at Bucks County Orthopedic Specialists, contact our team at (215) 348-7000.