Lumbar support belts

Ok now that we've established many here are old and some even know about the Halifax explosion. I'd like recomendations on support belts for the lumbar spine. I've used something on and off for a number of years but have decided I need to use one full time for skiing and want something that can cinch down compression on the S-I joints particularly. I had one lined up last spring but made the mistake of mentioning working at a shop. Then the guy says he'll send me a free sample. Three reminders later still no belt. All I ever wanted to do was buy one.
I appeal to the vast pool of geriatric maggot knowledge. Thanks.

A couple belts of Jack Daniels usually does the trick for me.

Feelin' no pain...

I've got lumbars askew both posterior and anterior, L7 (hmmm...the name almost makes sense). Let me know what you find that works.

Forget the belt, it's merely a crutch.

The only sure fire way to prevent back injury and fatigue is to strengthen it. Look into yoga, pilates, or some weight regimen. A belt is only good for lifting really heavy objects and preventing injury in case you lose good forum while doing such. But for more repetitive motions like skiing, there's really no use for one. In fact a belt will prevent you from naturally strengthening your back while performing exercise. That's why I say it's a crutch.

Quote:

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Originally posted by Arty50
Forget the belt, it's merely a crutch.

The only sure fire way to prevent back injury and fatigue is to strengthen it. Look into yoga, pilates, or some weight regimen. A belt is only good for lifting really heavy objects and preventing injury in case you lose good forum while doing such. But for more repetitive motions like skiing, there's really no use for one. In fact a belt will prevent you from naturally strengthening your back while performing exercise. That's why I say it's a crutch.

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Arty is 110% correct. Lumbar belts are a crutch. Sure you can lift more "absolute" weight with the belt on, but research has shown that people who strengthen their core muscles with a respectable strength ratio between abs and back muscle will surely experience a reduction of those nagging back injuries.

I'm not talking about a leather kidney belt for lifting weights I'm talking about a flexible, elasticized type unit. As I said I've used a couple on and off over several years. I do in fact lift weights and also do a wide variety of core exercises from the various chiros, physios and trainers I have worked with. My back issues have been repetetive and ongoing from when I was about 23 (that'd be 20 years ago) and many, many miles of skiing among other things. Although I've gone through thinking along the same lines as you guys more recently I've decided pressure from the sides can really help to stablize the S-I joints which seems to begin my issues. My MRI in July would indicate things are degenerative enough that the strenghtening may just not be enough. I still intend to put in 100 + days skiing a year until I just plain can't.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by L7
L7, just a sidenote. My natural healing gurus have me taking heavy doses of vitamin C (rosehips powder) for connective tissue nutrition and rubbing St. Johns Wort oil on the vertebrae in my back that are compressed. Seems to be improving quite well.

And yes, strengthening is the primary option to keep it all together. If only I could get off this damn computer.................

what the hell kind of hippie oil is St. Johns Wort oil?
whats it´s latin name?
dunno what it is at this part of the world.
im desperate.

Actual court transcript-

Lawyer: So, doctor, you say he was shot in the woods?

Doctor: No. I said he was shot in the lumbar region.