Bracing

Neck and back braces serve several purposes. After spinal fusion or other spine surgery, a brace may help protect the spine during recovery. As part of a conservative plan, a brace can support and stabilize the spine to relieve pain before surgery is considered. Your physician chooses the right brace for your needs.

Man at a desk holding his lower back in pain
Clinician fitting a woman with a neck brace

When To Consider A Neck Or Back Brace

A brace may be recommended as part of a conservative treatment plan to help support and stabilize the spine before considering surgery. If you have chronic neck or back pain and are having difficulty moving or maintaining balance because of a spine condition, ask your doctor about bracing.
 
There are several types of neck and back braces, and your surgeon will determine the type required based on your condition, or on the type and location of surgery and your projected recovery time.

Conditions Bracing Can Help

Bracing may be part of the plan for:

Degenerative disc diseaseSupporting a degenerating segment. SpondylolisthesisLimiting painful motion from a slipped vertebra. Spinal arthritisEasing flares of spinal arthritis. Back painSupport during acute back pain. Neck painCervical support for neck pain. ScoliosisSelected cases of spinal curvature.
Request A Consultation

The Purpose Of A Brace

A degenerative spine condition is the gradual deterioration of spinal components, including discs and joints, with age. These changes make the discs and joints less able to withstand everyday pressure, and in some cases the vertebrae lose stability and move out of alignment, potentially compressing nerves.
 
A neck or back brace helps support the spine in these situations, reducing painful motion while other treatments take effect.
Schedule A Consultation
Man holding his upper and lower back in pain

Bracing After Spine Surgery

Some patients wear a brace after surgery to help prevent movement and promote proper healing:

  1. 1

    Choosing the brace

    Your surgeon selects the brace based on the type and location of surgery.

  2. 2

    Protected healing

    The brace limits motion while the spine heals in the proper position.

  3. 3

    Gradual weaning

    Brace use is reduced as healing progresses.

  4. 4

    Rehabilitation

    Physical therapy restores strength and mobility.

Minimally Invasive Spine Stabilization

For patients recommended for spinal fusion, minimally invasive stabilization is an outpatient alternative that takes a muscle-sparing approach.

Bracing

External support

Conservative care

  • Supports the spine from the outside.
  • Used during flares or after surgery.
  • Combined with physical therapy.

Minimally invasive stabilization

Internal support

Surgical option

  • Stabilizes an unstable segment from within.
  • Outpatient, muscle-sparing approach.
  • Learn more about TLIF.

If you have questions about stabilization surgery or recovery, our team is here to help.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is a neck or back brace used?

Braces are used after spine surgery to protect the spine while it heals, and as part of a conservative treatment plan to support and stabilize the spine before considering surgery.

Will I need a brace after spine surgery?

Some patients wear a neck or back brace after surgery to limit movement and promote proper healing. Your surgeon determines the type and duration based on the surgery and expected recovery.

How does a brace relieve pain?

By supporting and stabilizing a weakened section of the spine, a brace can reduce painful motion and pressure on irritated joints and nerves.

What types of braces are there?

There are several types of neck (cervical) and back (lumbar and thoracolumbar) braces, from soft supports to rigid braces. Your physician chooses the right one for your condition.

How long should I wear a brace?

It depends on the reason for bracing. Post-operative bracing usually lasts several weeks; conservative bracing is often used during flares or specific activities.

Can wearing a brace weaken my muscles?

Prolonged use can reduce muscle activity, so bracing is usually combined with physical therapy to keep the supporting muscles strong.

Is bracing used for other joints?

Yes. Braces are also used for the knee, ankle, and other joints to support stability during healing or activity.

How do I know if a brace is right for me?

If you have chronic neck or back pain with difficulty moving or maintaining balance, talk to your doctor. Call (321) 499-4646.

Benefits Of Bracing

A properly fitted brace can:

  • Support and stabilize the spine.
  • Reduce painful motion during flares.
  • Protect the spine while it heals after surgery.
  • Improve balance and confidence when moving.
  • Complement physical therapy and other conservative care.
Schedule A Consultation
Man holding his neck in pain

Related Treatments

Physical Therapy

Physical therapy is an advanced form of extended care that focuses on the diagnosis, treatment, and management of musculoskeletal conditions to help relieve chronic pain and other symptoms.

Non-Surgical Treatments

Neck, back, and joint pain are some of the most prevalent and often debilitating conditions we see patients for. Thanks to exciting new developments in the field of medicine, we've been able to add many minimally invasive techniques and non-surgical techniques to our treatment repertoire. These methods focus on alleviating pain and improving quality of life without resorting to surgical interventions.

Pain Management Injections

Several types of injections can be used to diagnose and treat back pain. In many cases, injections are used for both purposes at the same time.

Epidural Steroid Injections

Epidural steroid injections are commonly used to diagnose and treat neck and back pain. These injections are placed in the epidural space of the spine, which is located between the vertebral bones and the protective covering of the spinal cord.

Facet Injections

Facet injections are a common treatment for patients with back pain that manifests in the facet joints, the joints that connect two vertebrae and allow the spine to perform bending and twisting motions

Facet Ablation

Our minimally invasive facet ablation procedure is aimed to treat arthritis in the spine. Your spine has a series of facet joints on the outside of your spinal cord that lay closest to your skin.

Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA)

Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) is a minimally invasive pain management treatment option proudly offered by Total Spine and Orthopedics.

Medial Branch Blocks

Experiencing chronic back or neck pain can significantly impact your quality of life. Medial Branch Blocks offer a minimally invasive solution, targeting the nerves responsible for transmitting pain signals to the brain.

Caudal Injection

Lower back pain, leg pain, and sciatica are all relatively common conditions that can severely limit your daily activities and negatively impact your quality of life. Caudal Epidural Steroid Injections offer a minimally invasive solution, delivering steroids directly to the epidural space to reduce inflammation and alleviate pain. On this page we will dive into the intricacies of the caudal injection procedure, its benefits, and answers to common questions, helping you understand if it’s the right option for you.

Nerve Block Injections

Selective nerve root block injections (SNRB) are commonly administered to patients experiencing pain resulting from a compressed spinal nerve root.

Our Patients Stories

Hear our patients share their experience with us, All in their own words.

Why Choose Total Spine and Orthopedics

Expert, ultra-minimally invasive spine and orthopedic care, close to home.

  • Ultra-minimally invasive and endoscopic techniques

    We specialize in procedures performed through incisions smaller than a dime, sparing muscle and supporting a faster recovery.

  • Same-day, outpatient procedures

    Most patients walk in and return home within hours, rather than facing an overnight hospital stay.

  • Board-certified, fellowship-trained surgeons

    Our team includes early leaders in endoscopic spine surgery.

  • A complimentary MRI review

    Understand your diagnosis and options from a board-certified specialist before committing to any treatment.

  • Trusted by our community

    More than 1,100 patient reviews at a 4.6-star average, and over 50,000 patients treated.

  • Helping you make informed decisions

    Our goal is to inform you about your condition and the treatments available so you can choose what is best for you.

  • Comprehensive spine and orthopedic care

    From injections to advanced procedures, your full continuum of care is handled in one place.

  • Convenient locations across the Space Coast and Orlando

    Care close to home in Melbourne, Orlando (Lake Nona), and Titusville.

Schedule your visit online

Take the next step and schedule an appointment today

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Name(Required)
Do you want to be contacted via text message?