5 Best Braces for Sciatica Nerve Pain

Hpfy Article image

If you are between 30 and 50 or even an active adult in your twenties, you have no doubt experienced sciatica-related back pain! Sitting at your desk, going to the gym, or just doing daily routine activities can trigger this type of back discomfort.

Sciatic back pain is often hard to identify and treat. Sciatica braces can offer you the support and relief you may need to improve your quality of life and get back into the swing of things. We have a vast selection of back braces to choose from, but let’s first take a look at what sciatica is and what causes this gnawing pain.

What is Sciatica?

Sciatica is a pain and numbness in the leg that may be caused by a herniated disc, pinched nerves, or another condition. According to an article by NIH, 10% to 40% of people will experience sciatica nerve pain during their life. The pain and numbness can travel from the lower back down the legs, causing pain when you walk, sit, or lie down. Sciatica can also radiate into the buttocks, back, and other parts of the legs.

What Causes Sciatica?

  1. Herniated disc: One of the most common causes of sciatica is a herniated disc in the lower part of the spine. It’s also called a slipped disc. Although a herniated disc can occur at any age, it tends to happen more frequently in middle age and later. It happens when a spinal disc's jelly-like core bulges through a tear in the disc's outer casing. When this occurs, the substance may press on and irritate a nearby nerve. Sciatica results from aberrant signals being given to the brain by this nerve pressure.
  2. Spinal stenosis: The spinal cord and the nerves that go up and down the spine are shielded by the spinal canal. Spinal canal narrowing is known as spinal stenosis. When this happens, nerves may be squeezed, resulting in pain. Lumbar stenosis is the most prevalent kind of spinal stenosis because the lumbar vertebrae experience the most continuous stress while bearing the greatest weight.
  3. Spondylolisthesis: The bones of the spine are stacked on top of one another, separated by discs. Spondylolisthesis occurs when one spinal bone slips forward in relation to the bone below it. When the L4 vertebra moves over the L5 vertebra, it can cause a kink in the spinal canal, leading to pressure on a nerve root and sciatica.
  4. Trauma: The sciatic nerve itself is susceptible to damage from any injury or accident that affects the buttock or stretches a hamstring, one of three muscles at the back of the thigh. Falls, car accidents, and sports injuries may lead to sciatica.

5 Best Sciatica Braces

1. Vive Back Brace

Ease your sciatica pain with the Vive back brace. This brace soothes lower back pain from sciatica, spasms, slipped or herniated disks, scoliosis, or injuries. The removal pad in the brace offers lower spine cushioning for increased comfort from sciatica pain.

Features of Vive Back Support Brace

  • Offers back and posture support without restricting movement
  • Easy to fit - wrap, secure, and go
  • Adjustable fasteners allow for customized fit
  • Lightweight and durable for daily use
Pros Pros Cons Cons
Non-slip fit Contains latex
Moisture wicking material Not machine washable and requires delicate hand washing
Affordable with high quality  

2. Ossur Formfit Advanced Back Support

The Ossur Formfit Advanced Back Support device is intended to provide gross immobilization of the lumbar spine and/or compression. It is mainly used for lower back conditions that may benefit from gross motion restriction, such as muscular lower back pain, lumbosacral strains, chronic lower back pain, or sciatica.

Features of the Ossur Formfit Back Support

  • Wrap design allows for customized compression
  • Finger loops for easy application
  • Positioned to provide optimum support in the lumbar area
  • Rubber material is strategically sewn inside each support to prevent migration
Pros Pros Cons Cons
Offers best support & structure for pinched nerve back pain Edges feel hard to some users
Wide enough and prevents rolling Not much useful for Lumbar stenosis
Extra padding is adjustable to your comfort level  

3. Core CorFit Sacroiliac Back Support Belt

The Core CorFit Sacroiliac Back Support Belt is designed specifically to relieve instability and painful stress of the pelvis and sacroiliac joints. It also stabilizes the hip joints and helps relieve sciatica pain and scoliosis caused by pelvic instability. Best used after an injury, with hypermobility of the sacroiliac joints, or after a pregnancy.

Features of the CorFit Sacroiliac Back Support Belt

  • Elastic construction with a CorEdge finish provides 10% more stretch
  • Sacroiliac Belts conform perfectly to the body without binding or irritation
  • Stabilize hip and SI joint to ease lower back and/or sciatica pain
  • Proportional sizing system for a proper fit
  • Easy closure assists in providing leverage with minimal effort
  • Flexible stays help increase support and stability
Pros Pros Cons Cons
Latex-free Looks bulky underneath clothes
Perfect for lower back pain  

4. Vive Groin Brace

The Vive Groin Brace is used to reduce muscle stiffness and soreness. It also reduces aches and pains associated with a pulled groin, quad, or hamstring, hip flexor injury, hip bursitis, labral tear, sciatic nerve pain, and SI joint pain.

Features of the Vive Groin Support Brace

  • Reduces stiffness and increases blood circulation to promote healing
  • Lightweight and breathable
  • Provides relief from hamstring pulls, hip bursitis, labral tear, sciatic nerve pain, and SI joint pain
  • Adjustable compression wrap soothes stiff and sore muscles for increased mobility
  • Unisex support brace can be worn on the left or right side and over or under clothing as needed
Pros Pros Cons Cons
Provides efficient support for the groin and the hip Walking can be difficult
Does not slide down the leg Wearing on right side can be difficult
Strong fastener system prevents the brace from sliding  

5. Core Semi-Universal Sacroiliac/Trochanter Belt

The Core Semi-Universal Sacroiliac/Trochanter Belt aids in immobilization and helps relieve muscle strain when stretched, as in postpartum applications. Elastic side pulls increase sacroiliac pressure, help relieve muscle strain, and supplement abdominal muscles while healing. Durable, plush, 4-inch-high hook and loop design provides maximum support to the sacrum.

Features of the Core Semi-Universal Trochanter Belt

  • CorEdge finish for added comfort
  • The goal is to control the motion of the hip joints
  • Useful in reducing inflammation
  • Relieves muscle strain, supplementing stomach muscles that are stretched or weakened
  • Used for postpartum, post-traumatic, and hypermobility of hip joints
Pros Pros Cons Cons
Relieves muscle strain when stretched Not machine washable
Hook and loop material offers maximum support May not be suitable for those with larger legs
Contours to the natural curves of the hips  

When to seek a doctor

It is important to consult a doctor if you face the following symptoms after using a back brace for sciatica nerve pain:

  • If you are wearing your brace for a few days or weeks and your pain hasn't improved or has actually gotten worse
  • If you experience numbness, tingling, or muscle weakness in a leg
  • If you face difficulty controlling your bladder or bowels

Where can you buy the best back brace for sciatica nerve online?

Dealing with sciatica nerve pain can be difficult, and it is important to get the right medical aid for pain relief. Visit the Rehab Store to get the best sciatica brace and many other aids for sciatica pain relief at the best possible discounts.

 

Disclaimer: All content found on our website, including images, videos, infographics and text were created solely for informational purposes. Our content should never be used for the purpose of diagnosis or treatment of any medical conditions. Content shared on our websites is not meant to be used as a substitute for advice from a certified medical professional. Reliance on the information provided on our website as a basis for patient treatment is solely at your own risk. We urge all our customers to always consult a physician or a certified medical professional before trying or using a new medical product.