"On a scale of  to  lower back pain httpshealth.usnews.comwellnessarticleshowtostayoffthebackpaintreatmentcarousel can register somewhere between I need an aspirin to please jack me up with morphine. Those suffering from such discomfort might feel moderate to mild pain that is not debilitating. In severe cases they could feel like a giant electrified claw has claimed the lower part of their back tearing into each nerve in that part of the body. The smallest of movements  getting up from a chair walking or even coughing  can feel torturous. Maybe the lower back is as stiff as hardened concrete and as sensitive as an exposed nerve.  A simple lumbar support device or back brace can provide shortterm relief research shows according to an analysis of  studies published in the September  issue of the Annals of Physical Rehabilitation Medicine journal. While these devices wont cure the underlying condition theyre simple and relatively inexpensive. In the  metaanalysis researchers concluded that lumbar support devices are useful for improving function and reducing pain among those suffering from subacute back pain which means its past the acute stage  which is sudden and short in duration  but not longlasting enough to be chronic httpshealth.usnews.comhealthnewspatientadvicearticlesrecoveringfromchronickneehipandbackpainwithoutsurgery. See  Items That Help Protect Your Health httpshealth.usnews.comwellnessslideshowsitemsthathelpprotectyourhealth. Lumbar support devices provide enough compression and support for the lower back to allow healing to occur says Christopher Cousins http a physical therapist based in the District of Columbia. The compression on the abdomen means theres less pressure on your lower back discs ligaments muscles and spine. Lumbar devices typically fit around your waist and are secured with Velcro. They often have a steel or plastic plate attached to the section that would press against the patients lower back to provide support some have overtheshoulders straps. Most overthecounter lumbar support devices cost between  and  and theyre available at many drug stores Target and WalMart plus online without a a prescription. Custommade lumbar support devices which are contoured to the natural curvature of the patients spine cost from a few hundred dollars to about  Cousins says.    httpshealth.usnews.comhealthnewsblogseatrunarticlesthebestyogaposesyoucandoatyourdeskThe  Best Yoga Poses You Can Do at Your Desk httpshealth.usnews.comhealthnewsblogseatrunarticlesthebestyogaposesyoucandoatyourdesk Colleagues awkward stares not included.  Jake PanasevichApril   People who suffer mild to moderate subacute back pain httpshealth.usnews.comhealthnewspatientadvicearticlesbemindfulintreatinglowerbackpain should put on a back brace as soon as their discomfort sets in says Scott Bautch http a chiropractor in Wasau Wisconsin and president of the American Chiropractic Associations council on occupational health. You want to give yourself bracing so you can move Bautch says. Inactivity or immobilization is the worst thing for a back. You want to remain active and a brace can help you do that.  Some studies have shown that wearing a lumbar support device could lead to negative effects such as skin lesions muscle wasting gastrointestinal disorders higher blood pressure and higher heart rates. Those issues are rare and typically occur with people who wear a back brace for an extended period of time for more than the week or two most experts recommend Bautch says. If a back brace fits well is worn properly  that is its not too snug  and is not overused it shouldnt create any health problems Bautch says. During the course of his year career Bautch says hundreds of his patients have worn lumbar support devices. None of them developed any problems aside from a handful who had minor skin irritation where part of the brace rubbed their body Bautch says. He remedied that issue by having his patients wear an undershirt between the lumbar support device and their skin.  See  Ways to Cope With Back Pain httpshealth.usnews.comhealthnewspatientadviceslideshowswaystocopewithbackpain. Searing subacute back pain is caused by an array of conditions including a herniated disc in which the soft jellylike center inside the disc pushes out through a tear in its tough exterior and irritates nerves. A herniated disc can cause sciatica a painful condition that affects the back hips and legs and is caused by the compression of a spinal nerve root in the lower back. Spinal discs degenerate with age and a herniated disc can occur without a physical injury says Dr. Neel Anand http director of spine trauma at CedarsSinai Medical Center httpshealth.usnews.combesthospitalsareacacedarssinaimedicalcenter in Los Angeles. Think of your disc like your car tire  its going to wear out Anand says. Before getting a lumbar support device for your lower back pain experts recommend these steps . If you have severe pain see a physician quickly. If your back pain or stiffness is so bad you cant move without tremendous discomfort see a doctor as soon as possible Bautch says. If your pain and stiffness are that severe a back brace may not be of much immediate use he says adding that it may be helpful once the pain and stiffness subside to a tolerable level where you can move.  Moderate to mild lower back pain often subsides after five days or so but if your discomfort persists beyond that or worsens see a doctor adds Dr. Megan Cortazzo http_.html medical director of clinical documentation improvement and health information management at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center httpshealth.usnews.combesthospitalsareapaupmcuniversityofpittsburghmedicalcenter. A doctor can test for and rule out serious potential causes such as kidney stones httpshealth.usnews.comwellnessarticlespassyourkidneystonebyridingarollercoaster an abdominal aneurysm httpshealth.usnews.comhealthcarebesthospitalsarticlesabdominalaorticaneurysmwhenitssurgerytime and cancer httpshealth.usnews.combesthospitalsrankingscancer Cortazzo says. Doctors can order an array of tests such as an Xray MRI or CT scan to arrive at the correct diagnosis which will help lead to the most effective treatment plan she says. The goal of most treatment regimens is strengthening the patients core muscles supporting the spine so the pain doesnt recur. Treatment could include physical therapy a stretching routine yoga or Pilates httpshealth.usnews.comhealthnewsblogseatrunhowpilatesbenefitsrunners. Many people also find chiropractic adjustments httpshealth.usnews.comwellnessarticlestheprosandconsofseeingachiropractor helpful says Robert Hayden httpiriscitychiro.com a chiropractor based in Griffin Georgia.  . Find a lumbar support device that fits you. Once youve been diagnosed look for a lumbar support device that fits the natural curvature of your spine says Dr. Jeremy Smith https an orthopedic spine surgeon at the Hoag Orthopedic Institute in Irvine California. Try on a few at the store before buying one he advises. If you buy the device online you can return it if it doesnt fit. It needs to naturally contour and fit kind of like a glove so all surface areas are in contact with your back. It should help remind you to keep good posture Smith says. The device should be snug but not too tight. It shouldnt constrict your breathing.  ADVERTISING inRead invented by Teads https_sourceinreadutm_mediumcreditsutm_campaigninventedbyteads . Dont become reliant on your back brace. Patients should wear a back brace for no longer than a few days to two weeks at the most Bautch says. Longer than that and your muscles start to adapt and get accustomed to the brace which means they can lose strength which can lead to more injuries he adds. If you use the back brace for more than two weeks you can become bracedependent. A lumbar support device can be useful in the short term but strengthening the core muscles that support your back is important in the long run Bautch says.  See  Seemingly Innocent Symptoms You Shouldnt Ignore httpshealth.usnews.comhealthnewspatientadviceslideshowsseeminglyinnocentsymptomsyoushouldntignore. . Learn your capacity. Figure out your physical limits to avoid reinjuring your back  both when youre wearing a back brace and after youve stopped using it says Robert Shapiro http a physical therapist and certified orthopedic manual therapist based in Huntington New York. Youre not Superman when youre wearing your brace he says. Exceeding your physical boundaries could cause a recurrence of low back pain httpshealth.usnews.comhealthnewspatientadvicearticlesbackpainnaturalwaystogetrelief. You have to learn what your limits are and not to exceed them Shapiro says. You may be able to lift a box of books but shoveling snow may cause pain. Your physical limits may change as you exercise and strengthen your core."