Back Belts

Back Belts

 

 

 

 

How many of you have noticed the prevalence of employees in stores such as Walmart, Home Depot and Lowes wearing back belts?  As a therapist, many of my patients recovering from back injury are prescribed these also.  Do they really do what people say they do?  In 1994, the NIOSH (National Institute For Occupational Safety and Health) concluded that they do not prevent injuries or provide protection for workers who do not have a history of injury.  And although these belts may limit side-bending and rotation/twisting range of motion of the spine in standing, they do not limit these motions when the spine is flexed, which is the position of lifting when at work.  Therefore, upon lifting, these belts do not exactly do what people think.