back brace for lower back arthritic pain

[CTyankee]

Has anyone tried the ones they advertise on TV, the ones with copper inserts? Do they work and are they worth the money?

I'm thinking of getting one but I'd like to know if they help anybody.

Thanks.

[rurallib]

1. I will be curious to see the answers to this

I also am experiencing bad back pain.

I have always thought those copper things were just expensive placebos.

[in2herbs]

2. I tried them years ago -- no good IMO. Here are my suggestions: Capzasin-HP topical analgesic

cream 0.1% strength - daily. Use cotton rounds to apply and wash hands well afterwards. Acupuncture, but you will need it a couple of times a week at the beginning and then weekly. CBD tincture oil daily. You will have to determine the mg dose. They say start low, 300 mg and work you way up. I'm on between 4000-6000 mg/day. At the same time you can dose with THC --- very small doses but it has broken the pain cycle. Or, try gummies.

[Oeditpus Rex]

3. I don't trust anything heavily and exclusively advertised

on those "classic TV" stations, which is the only place I've seen that back brace advertised (if we're referring to the same one). I've used others that haven't helped, and, like a girdle, I couldn't wait to get them off so I could breathe properly again.

Those ads are deceptive, especially the one for the inflator that looks like a cordless drill. Refill a flat car tire in about 1.5 seconds witn a gun that size? The video is quite obviously speeded up. And, notice they say nothing about recharging that small battery?

Oh, no! What a mess! Nobody wants that!

[justaprogressive]

4. Ret. nurse here

I'm going to recommend this book.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3789578-back-sufferers-bible

https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/sarah-keys-back-sufferers-bible_sarah-key/1069152/#edition=13218070&idiq=84919111

read more:

https://sarahkey.com/

You can help yourself, honest

[Diamond_Dog]

5. I also have lower back pain.

Have you ever tried Salonpas patches? They work for me.

[CTyankee]

6. Yep. They work but not for very long. I still have a few left. Will try again.

No pain at night because I lay flat all night. I do wake up a bit stiff however. I do my back exercises to warm me up: butt lifts, wig wags, roll ups. They taught me those in PT.

Of course, I could go back for another round of PT, also. My copay has doubled, tho...unfortunately...

[womanofthehills]

7. If you go on You Tube - lots of videos on doing the McGill big 3

I did this everyday for 3 months when I injured my back. My back is good now but I still do them. They are 3 exercises recommended by Dr Stewart McGill - famous back specialist. I have a massage table so I don’t have to do them on the floor.

?si=YXvLrVAHDU8Vc27c

[Traildogbob]

8. I do not know

If the copper does anything but I love the one with double Velcro strapping and two pouches in the back. Ice packs of hot packs fit there nicely.
My lower “L’s” are trashed, just had a second injection of a series of three. They work.
But best of all is a Tenns unit with butterfly fly pads the send electric pulses. My first one I have used for 12-14 years was prescribed by workman’s comp claim. Now they are over the counter.
The VA just issued me a new one.
Highly recommend. Been dealing with my back for nearly 20 years. MY need surgery one day. My Brother and two close friends have gone the surgery route, good results, but lots of bad tells about that too.
Football, 25 foot fall from the ships mast, pounding trails with heavy packs, 30 years running, bent over racing bikes 30 years and age.
The lateral exit holes for nerves of each vertebrae are narrowing and pinching nerves. Spine doc says they may have to go in and open those holes surgically.
Try the Tenns, wear the braces with ice or heat. The neoprene holds the cold/heat in and the support is a plus They help. I never mow without the brace.
Just my experience for a long long time. May not be right for everyone. Good luck, it sucks.
Now I am facing surgery to cut my Achilles to remove spurs. Spurs formed in a hairline fracture from the fall while actually Serving. Not trump ones.
I am terrified. Horrible stories about recovery.
Jason Tatum with the Celtics said it has been the worst segment of his entire life. And he is a top level athlete with the best docs all around 🥶😭😭😭😱😱😶‍🌫️😶‍🌫️.wish me luck.
Fucking golden years my ass!