People who work for a living know that the term back braking work is actually true. Standing, lifting, pushing, pulling all add up to soreness and pain. This is why many major chain stores provide braces to their employees. They know this keeps their employees safe and working. We have also found this in our own practice. Patients with minor muscle strains of the back would improve with simple bracing. We have personally tested these braces and feel this is one of the best and most comfortable.

Here are a few of the reasons we like this brace:

• Comfortable fit — This brace is contoured along the sides to fit comfortably below your ribs while supporting the central structures of your abdomen and back muscles.

• Compression pad — This scientifically designed pad places the most support along the central part of your lower back. This is where most people have the most strain and the extra support is helpful. Small nodes within the pad gently massage the pressure points in your lower back muscles.

• Adjustable support levels — There are two side pulls which allow you to adjust the level of support you desire. This is especially important if you sit and stand often. When you sit, you can loosen the brace to make it more comfortable. However, when you stand or just before lifting, you can tighten the sides for extra support.

• Breathable material — This latex free material is stretchable and yet cool and comfortable to wear most of the day.

• Reminding your body to avoid certain positions of risk — The brace acts as a restraint to remind your body not to bend so much at the waist and to lift with your legs more than your lower back. Thus, this and other braces help retrain your body to avoid positions that would hurt your back.

ProCare's Industrial Back Support with Compression Pad offers the following benefits:

• Contoured edges fit comfortably around the back and your sides.

• Comfort pad for extra support of the lower back area.

• Two side pulls for adjustable levels of support.

• Latex-free material.

• Compression and comfort with scientifically designed support.

• Tapered tail to provide support to the small part of your spine.

• Two six (6) inch stays provide side to side support.

• Multiple sizes from small to X-large for customized fit.

ProCare's suggested sizing chart is below. Measurement should be the circumference taken at waist level.

• Small: 24 to 30 inches (61 to 76 centimeters)

• Medium: 30 to 36 inches (76 to 91 centimeters)

• Large: 36 to 42 inches (91 to 107 centimeters)

• X-Large: 42 to 50 inches (107 to 127 centimeters)