For osteochondrosis, radiculitis, pinched spinal nerves and other diseases, doctors advise wearing a back belt to reduce the intensity of pain. Orthopedic devices perfectly support the spine, relieve some of the load from it, relieve discomfort, improve blood circulation in the damaged area, etc. But in order to get a pronounced therapeutic effect, you need to choose the right back belt for lower back pain. Before using a medical device, you need to study the main indications for its use, as well as the features of its wearing.
Indications for use
The spinal column consists of many movable segments. Under the influence of negative factors or various diseases, they become unstable. Then the risk of damage to the intervertebral discs, vertebrae, and surrounding soft tissues (blood vessels, nerve roots, muscles) increases. A lumbar belt supports, stabilizes and protects the spinal segments from damage when the product is properly fitted and used. This device reduces pain and reduces the likelihood of damage to the vertebrae.
Reference. Orthopedic models help to activate blood flow and metabolic processes, and as a result, nutrition of the lumbar segment improves. They have a mild massage effect and provide muscle support during myositis (inflammation of skeletal muscles). Products with a warming effect accelerate the fat burning process.
The back belt is recommended for use in the following diseases and conditions:
- Osteochondrosis of the lower back.
- In case of disc protrusion or herniation.
- Radiculopathy (inflammation of the spinal nerve roots).
- Overgrowth of bone tissue along the edges of the vertebrae (spondylosis).
- Osteoporosis, secondary tumors in the spine that cause compression of the spinal nerves.
- Sciatica (neuritis of the sciatic nerve).
- Arthrosis of the vertebral joints.
- Muscle spasms.
- Strained back muscles due to injury.
- Bone tuberculosis, which affects the tissue of the spine.
- Narrowing of the spinal canal.
- Spondylolisthesis (displacement) of the lumbar vertebrae.
- Cystitis.
- Nephrolithiasis (deposition of stones in the kidneys).
Back belts help relieve pain in the diseases described above and reduce the likelihood of complications.
Reference. The back belt is recommended for athletes, drivers, and loaders to wear when there is a high load on the lower back. Elastic products relieve some of the load from the vertebrae and prevent muscle strain.
Orthopedic corsets, bandages and orthoses are indicated during complex treatment of back injuries, after surgery on the spine or abdominal organs.
Description of the back corset
Doctors prescribe wearing a corset as an additional device in the treatment of various pathologies.
It helps maintain correct posture and corrects all possible curvatures. This corset is well suited for combating stoop and looks like a chest bandage that includes a shoulder frame of different densities. The stiffening ribs in models for the prevention of scoliosis will be softer, and to correct special pathologies, metal ribs are used so that the pressure is several times greater.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=0ms90KKMGa8
Benefits of use
A semi-rigid medical back corrector is needed to eliminate and treat various pathologies in the spine.
Treating specialists used it for curvature (kyphosis, lordosis), pain in the back and cervical region, severe muscle fatigue and pinching of some nerve endings between the vertebrae. A back brace can also be used to prevent disorders. There is an additional risk of developing back problems, for example, a sedentary and sedentary lifestyle, permanent work, weakness in the back muscles, untreated scoliosis of varying severity. In addition to the above indications, such an accessory can be used for comfortable work at the computer. It can be used several (5-6) times a day, it has a tonic, relaxing effect and helps eliminate various troubles when working at the computer for a long time. A back brace will benefit both children and adults. Very often, such a product is prescribed by a doctor to school-age children, since they are at particular risk.
Advantages and disadvantages
Any individual type of corsets has both advantages and disadvantages. The main disadvantages of bandages are as follows:
- inconvenience when using;
- visible under thin or transparent clothing;
- are worn only over a T-shirt or tank top - they will exert strong pressure on a naked body due to the presence of special ribs;
- have a local effect and do not affect the entire perimeter of the back;
- low level of therapeutic effect for serious pathological processes with the back.
At the same time, there are many times more positive features in such a device. We need to start with the fact that such a treatment device helps to avoid diseases (chondrosis) and improves the general condition of the spine if there are any alarming symptoms. The main advantages of the corset include:
- muscle relaxation in all parts of the back;
- the effectiveness of therapy with correctly selected spinal fixation;
- when working at a computer for a long time, a person does not feel any discomfort;
- helps maintain beautiful and correct posture.
Hardness degree
Therapeutic belts differ in the degree of rigidity; depending on this criterion, 3 types of products are distinguished:
- Light hardness. This is an elastic corset for the back and lower back, which is made of dense material. The product does not have additional internal fixing elements (stiffening ribs). This bandage can be worn by pregnant women, athletes and other people at risk. The device is used to prevent the destruction of intervertebral discs due to excessive load on the lower back.
- Medium support. This lumbar bandage is also made of dense material, in addition, it is equipped with 2-4 stiffening ribs, fasteners, and belts for additional fixation. Wearing such products is indicated for exacerbation of spinal diseases that are accompanied by pain, for example, osteochondrosis at stages 2–3. In addition, moderate support belts help prevent compression fractures due to osteoporosis and spinal curvature.
- High degree of rigidity. This is the toughest spinal corset, which consists of 4–8 stiffening ribs made of plastic or steel, belts, fasteners and other elements that allow it to be securely fixed to the body. It is recommended to wear such a bandage after spinal injuries, during the entire rehabilitation period after surgery, as well as to correct posture in cases of severe curvature.
Reference. Depending on the segment of the spine that supports the bandage, the following types are distinguished: thoracolumbar, lumbar, lumbosacral.
Varieties
There are many types of belt accessories on the market, they vary in style and shape:
- Models with a width of about 5 centimeters come in different colors and are recognized as classics.
- Options for contrasting colors with clothing. A red belt with a white dress, for example, is a classic that attracts attention and suits almost any girl.
- Accessories to match the dress. Designed to emphasize the waist without drawing attention to yourself. It is necessary to take this fact into account before making a belt for a dress from a satin ribbon, for example.
- Narrow straps. Such products look delicate and elegant, usually tied with a bow or knot. Such belts regularly appear at fashion shows.
- Sash. This is a belt that was borrowed from a men's wardrobe. It is an elongated model with slightly tapered ends. The sash belt is worn around the waist, and the ends are secured with a knot or formed into a bow. In this case, the wide part is located on the front or back area, and the tied edges can be in the center or side. The accessory can be decorated with a brooch, decorative elements made of fur or rhinestones. Floor-length dresses with a sash look unusual, feminine and stylish.
- The straps are leather or with imitation snake scales. Ideal for knitted, denim or viscose outfits. A medium-width leather accessory tied in a knot looks very elegant. It can be worn at the waist or hips.
- Openwork products. They harmonize perfectly with laconic evening dresses. They can be of a contrasting color or to match the clothes. A white evening dress with a black belt in an openwork style will not leave the owner without the attention of others.
- Crocheted. Original products suitable for many women's outfits. Summer dresses with a crocheted belt give the look lightness, airiness and emphasize elegance. They are great for cool evenings. You can easily make such a belt for a dress with your own hands.
- Combined belts. They can combine leather and elastic inserts, fabric, metal chains, etc. Such accessories draw attention to themselves, so it is important to combine them with the most laconic outfits.
The straps can be worn directly at the waist, under the bust, or casually on the hips. Before you tie a belt on a dress beautifully, you need to take into account the nuances of selecting an accessory based on the style of the outfit, its style and material of manufacture. Basic recommendations from stylists:
- very wide belts add romance and femininity to the image, ideally combined with light flowing dresses;
- the sash looks good with loose-fitting clothes made from different materials;
- for a midi dress, the belt should be tied just above the waistline, for a Greek style - under the chest, for a sheath dress - on the hips.
Dresses with a belt at the waist are a traditional way of wearing a wardrobe item. A belt on the hips is absolutely not suitable for ladies with short legs or a noticeable belly. It will only highlight the flaws.
Openwork
To match
Classic
Leather
Combined Contrast Crochet Sash Skinny
Types of back belts
Back belts are a dense elastic base, which is equipped with wide belts, fasteners, and stiffening ribs. Additional elements allow you to change the degree of fixation of the product on the body. There are several types of belts that differ in their therapeutic functions, sizes, and materials of manufacture.
An orthopedic belt supports the vertebrae, relieves stress on the back, relaxes muscles, reduces pain
Orthopedic
This is a special back support belt that allows you to fix the spine in the correct position. Then the load on the damaged segment is reduced, the surrounding muscles relax, and the pain is reduced. A corset to support the lower back is used for muscle strain, osteochondrosis, disc herniation, and cracks in the vertebrae.
Reference. Orthopedic products limit the mobility of the back, reliably supporting it to protect against possible injury during sudden movements.
Lumbosacral orthoses can be elastic, soft, semi-rigid, or rigid. Elastic belts are used for osteochondrosis to reduce pressure on nerve bundles and reduce pain. A soft lumbar corrector allows you to correct posture in children and adolescents. Semi-rigid models help reduce pain during disc herniation and eliminate lumbago in the lumbosacral region. A rigid restraining corset is recommended to be worn after vertebral fractures and other serious injuries.
Warming
Such products are made from natural or synthetic materials with low thermal conductivity. The inside is a belt insulated with dog, goat, camel hair, and neoprene (synthetic rubber). Natural materials allow air to pass through to the body, but at the same time retain their own warmth. The warming belt perfectly fixes the back, maintains temperature balance, accelerates blood flow, metabolic processes and regeneration of damaged tissues. A neoprene corset relieves the load on the spine and prevents its curvature during prolonged use.
Warming corset fixes the back, activates blood circulation
Warming belts are recommended to be worn during the cold season, as they protect against hypothermia, prevent myositis, and diseases of the urinary system.
Pneumatic (inflatable)
This corset has inflatable vertical cavities that need to be filled with air before use. A tonometer is attached to the base, with which you can monitor the pressure. A medical air corset is indicated for exacerbation of radiculitis, kidney diseases, for the prevention of disc herniation, as well as during rehabilitation after injuries. The product helps to slightly increase the distance between the vertebrae, thereby reducing the load on damaged discs.
An inflatable bandage supports the spine and has a warming property
The belt is put on in a deflated state, then it is inflated, after which it takes the shape of the body. The degree to which the corset is filled with air depends on the disease; you should consult your doctor on this issue. This fixing belt also has a warming effect.
Magnetic
The base of such a corset is made of elastic material (polyvinyl chloride, spandex or nylon), into which special magnets are sewn. The therapeutic magnetic belt is used for neuralgia, radiculitis, osteochondrosis, and diseases of the genitourinary system.
Magnetic belts improve blood circulation, metabolic processes, accelerate tissue healing
After putting it on, a magnetic field is created under the influence of the heat of the human body, which has a positive effect not only on the spine, but also on the internal organs. When worn regularly, blood circulation in the affected area is accelerated, metabolic processes and tissue trophism are improved, and the regeneration process is accelerated. The degree of rigidity of a magnetic structure depends on its size, thickness and number of plates.
Massage
Such products are used to prevent lower back diseases and for weight loss. It is equipped with built-in vibrating elements or special attachments that accelerate blood circulation and metabolic processes in the waist area. Heavy fitness training is also an indication for the use of massage belts; they help relax muscles, accelerate the elimination of lactic acid, and relieve pain. For diseases of the lower back, such a corset can be worn after physical therapy.
As you can see, different types of belts have different purposes, so consult your doctor before purchasing the product. A specialist will tell you which type of corset is best for you, help you choose the right size and tell you about the features of wearing it.
Advantages of orthopedic belts
The use of orthopedic belts is an essential part of the complex treatment of back diseases. Corsets made from this material ensure restoration of skeletal anatomy. While walking, the belt secures the spine and reduces the load on it.
Medical devices have a number of advantages:
- eliminate pain in the spine;
- evenly distribute the load on the vertebrae;
- minimize the risk of mechanical injuries and stretch marks;
- unload the supporting structures of the vertebrae;
- have a beneficial effect on the functioning of the back muscles.
The advantages of the medical device include a wide range of actions (the bandage effectively affects the body with scoliosis, spondylosis, osteoporosis, spinal fractures, hernias and other serious diseases).
Orthopedic belts are easy to use and easy to care for. There are many modern multifunctional models with affordable prices, good quality and high efficiency. It is extremely important to choose a suitable orthopedic corset for the treatment and prevention of back diseases. A high-quality bandage will not only fix the spine, but will also reduce the likelihood of relapse.
How to choose
If you experience lower back pain, do not choose orthopedic devices on your own; it is better to consult a doctor. The therapist will find out the cause of the discomfort and tell you what type of belt to choose.
If your doctor recommends purchasing a warming corset, then pay attention to industrial products. Such belts are treated with antiseptic compounds, so the likelihood of infection is minimal. It is recommended to choose devices that are lined with fabric on both sides; they will last longer.
Reference. Knitted warming belts are easier to care for and can be washed at home. It is better to refuse fur, quilted, felted corsets, as they need to be dry cleaned.
If you have allergies, it is better to abandon warming bandages with dog hair in favor of products made of neoprene, camel or sheep wool (they are hypoallergenic).
When choosing a belt for the lumbosacral region, pay attention to the following nuances:
Corset for posture correction
- Corset size. Please measure your waist circumference before purchasing. If the compression effect of the product is insufficient or excessive, then you will not receive any benefit from such treatment. If the belt compresses too much, blood circulation and the functioning of internal organs will be disrupted.
- Belt design depending on gender. During the manufacture of bandages, the anatomical features of women and men are taken into account. A consultant or doctor will help you choose the appropriate option.
- Comfort while wearing. A correctly selected belt should not rub or cause pain, even if the patient wears it naked. Although doctors recommend wearing a corset over underwear. While wearing it, a person should feel relief.
- Quality of seams and fittings. The fasteners should provide reliable fastening of the bandage, but not damage the skin. Make sure that the seams of the product are neat and there are no threads sticking out of them. Give preference to belts with metal buckles and fastenings, they are more reliable. Velcro is more convenient to use, but over time they become clogged and no longer securely fix the belt.
Reference. If the patient’s figure is non-standard, then a custom-made corset will be made for him. To do this, you need to contact an orthopedic salon.
The decision on choosing the degree of rigidity of the lumbar corset is made by the attending physician.
How to tie a belt on a down jacket or coat
We've sorted out the belts, but how can we not mention the trend of the season - belting outerwear with leather straps. A belt, unlike a belt, always has a buckle and a mechanism for fixation - a peg and holes or a clip.
An ardent fan of using belts on jackets and down jackets is Emmanuelle Alt, a journalist from France. She has at least a dozen bows in which she used a belt for outerwear.
The simplest option is to simply tighten the belt as usual - thread it through the buckle and secure it.
The belt can be short - after fastening the free edge is not noticeable, or long - in this case you get a relaxed, careless, daring outfit.
Don’t forget about color variations - a bright belt on a coat, even with the classic fastening technique, looks impressive and beautiful.
If you want to tie a belt in a non-standard way, try the simple knot method. For this method it is important that the strap is thin and flexible.
- Fasten your belt as usual;
- Pass the free end under the belt from below, pull it out from above and pass it through the resulting loop.
Another fashionable and creative option is with a long fabric belt, as suggested by the Off White brand. These belts have a different buckle design - fixation is achieved not by a pin and a hole, but by squeezing the strap with a clip.
To get a fashionable outfit, just fasten the belt as designed. The free edge turns out to be long - this is what we are trying to achieve. The look with a belt looks casual but stylish.
Suitable for down jackets and jackets of a sporty or similar style, as well as for trench coats and straight-cut coats. For fur coats and fitted women's outerwear, it is better to choose another option.
How do you tie a belt on a coat or down jacket?
Share your methods in the comments! Write your opinion
Rules for wearing and care
To ensure that back belts bring only benefits, follow these recommendations when wearing them:
- Supportive corsets need to be worn for a certain period of time; they are not intended for permanent use. This is explained by the fact that the belt unloads the muscles around the spine; with prolonged wear, they will weaken and atrophy. To quickly cure back diseases, wearing a corset should be strictly dosed - from 4 to 6 hours per day (preferably with breaks). During rest, the bandage must be removed, as it is useless. The duration of wearing orthopedic devices during treatment is about 10 hours, and sometimes can be extended up to 20 hours.
- The duration of wearing the inflatable belt is up to 2–3 hours. You can wear a corset for the first time for no longer than 20 minutes.
- Warming bandages are worn for no longer than 10 hours without breaks, especially in the cold season.
- The corset should be tightened with moderate force. When excessively tugging, the tissues are pinched, swelling appears, blood circulation and the functioning of internal organs are disrupted. If the belts are loosely tightened, the therapeutic effect of the belts will not manifest itself. Fix the product so that the degree of tension is moderate and there is no discomfort.
- Doctors do not recommend wearing a corset on a naked body, as protruding elements can rub the skin and the fabric will get dirty faster. It is better to wear belts over a tank top or T-shirt. Orthopedic bandages can be washed frequently, this does not affect their therapeutic properties. The therapeutic effect of warming belts decreases after each wash.
- It is recommended to drink plenty of fluids while wearing the magnetic belt.
- The corset must not be worn on the body if there is any damage (wounds, scratches, ulcers).
Patients should remember that therapeutic belts for the lower back are used as part of complex therapy, but they will not help cure the disease on their own.
When used correctly, a lumbar corset will bring maximum benefits.
To extend the life of supportive and warming corsets, you need to properly care for them. The magnetic bandage should be stored away from computers, household appliances, and digital storage media. When cleaning corsets, it is prohibited to use chlorine-containing products. They should only be washed by hand at temperatures up to 40°; wringing the items is prohibited. Dry the belt on a towel away from direct sunlight and heat sources (batteries, heating devices). Ironing corsets is prohibited.
Popular methods
Once you get carried away with tying belts and belts, the fashionista can no longer be stopped. There are so many ways to design a waistline that you don’t have time to experiment with them all.
Some options are similar to each other, others look original, unusual and immediately stand out from the crowd. Simple sashes are suitable for everyday and office looks, lush and unusual bows are suitable for boiler rooms and evening looks.
Which option to choose depends on the style of the dress, the width and length of the belt, and the characteristics of your figure. Sometimes you need to tighten your waist and make a slouchy dress. In other cases, the belt only schematically marks the middle line.
It is interesting that in earlier times women wore a belt above the waistline, almost under the chest. This was explained by the fact that after marriage, the fair sex was almost always pregnant. With the development of emancipation, women, like men, began to wear belts at the waist.
Knot
It seems that the easiest way is to tie the belt with a knot, but even this option can be used to create various types of designs. The fastest way to tie a regular knot is to cross the ends, tuck one under the other, pull it out and repeat again. Now let’s get acquainted with complex knot options:
- form a loop from one end, thread the second end inside the first, wrap around the back and pull through the loop again. This option is suitable for short textile belts, with the ends facing in different directions;
- wrap the waist twice, cross the ends, thread the one on top under the belt, wrap the lower one around the upper one and pull it through the formed loop. Judo athletes tie their belts in a similar way;
- fold the fabric in half, wrap it around your waist and thread both ends, pull them back, tuck the ends under the belt and pass them through the resulting loop. This option is recommended for long belts.
Bow
Satin ribbons are tied with a lush bow. They drape well and create an elegant design. Double or corrugated tape is characterized by increased splendor, therefore, the simpler the knot, the better the result.
Another option for a sling is a half bow. One end should be slightly longer than the other. A loop is formed from the longer one, which is tied with the short end. The loop should be strictly horizontal or strictly vertical, while the ends of the tape have the same level and fall down beautifully.
Flower
Belts decorated with flowers are especially popular among women. They are made from half bow. It is important that the fabric is wide, soft and drapes well.
The formed half-bow loop is taken from the inside by the middle and slightly pulled into the knot. To prevent the fabric from jumping out, it is secured with a pin or brooch. This method of tying a ribbon is suitable not only for decorating a belt, but also a neckerchief.
The flower looks best not in the middle, but from the side. Thanks to asymmetry, it is possible to divert attention from problem areas of the figure.
Rose
Shaping a rose is more difficult. This type of flower will turn out beautiful and voluminous if the fabric is loose, but two-layered. First, a half bow is made, leaving a small loop and one long end. This long end is folded into a rope and twisted around the loop with a rose. The remaining tip is fixed under the knot and pulled out in the form of a petal from the side.
In practice, tying a belt with a rose can be done 2-3 times. However, you should practice so that the flower comes out beautiful, even and does not crumble. Roses made from smooth fabrics are not very reliable. Silk and satin slip a lot, and therefore it is better to tie roses on doll dresses.
The flower holds most securely on fleecy and textured materials. That is why women use this method for dresses made of suiting fabric and over-the-shoulder models like coats.
Popular models and costs
If you want to choose a good supportive, corrective or warming corset, then pay attention to the following list, which presents the most popular models:
- Warming belt made of dog hair "Taiga".
- Lumbar support bandage “Therapist”.
- Warming corset made of camel wool "Leonarda".
- Neoprene bandage “Vulcan Classic Standard”.
- Magnetic corset “Healer”.
- Inflatable belt "Hercules".
Reference. The Phoenix Faradotherapy belt "Fohou" is made of a special material, and low-power magnets and more than 50 types of crushed minerals are placed inside it. It acts on the lower back according to the principle of acupuncture, activating biologically active points. This corset accelerates blood flow and metabolic processes, relieves pain, and helps cope with many lower back diseases.
The Kuznetsov applicator can be fixed on the lower back using a wide belt
And also very popular among patients is the Kuznetsov massage applicator, which can also be fixed on the lower back using a wide neoprene belt. This device also stimulates blood flow and metabolism in the damaged area, and accelerates tissue healing.
You can buy corsets for the lower back in well-known orthopedic salons in Moscow. The main thing is to check the quality certificates for the products during purchase.
The final price depends on many factors: material, degree of rigidity, type of belt, model, size, brand of product. The estimated cost of a warming bandage is from 450 to 1000 rubles. For an orthopedic bandage you will have to pay at least 900 rubles. The price of highly complex models with corrective inserts reaches 9,000 rubles.
When to belt your outerwear
The main task of girdling outerwear is to emphasize the waist in order to bring the figure closer to an hourglass.
First of all, we recommend that girls with curvy figures take a closer look at girdling their clothes. Using a belt or belt on outerwear allows you to visually smooth out fullness and emphasize your advantages.
It is important to use belts when the waist is poorly defined - this occurs in both thin and overweight girls. Emphasizing the waist will make your figure feminine.
4 nuances of using a belt:
- The type of belt should be selected to suit your figure. The larger the girl, the wider the belt for a coat, jacket, or raincoat. It is permissible for petite girls to use thin straps and a lace belt, while curvy girls need to look at options of medium width, as well as wide belts, otherwise the belt will only emphasize the features of the figure;
- Belts and belts should not be used if the waist circumference is greater than the hip circumference;
- Do not tighten the knot too tightly. In addition to physical discomfort, such manipulations also have the opposite visual effect - instead of a beautiful waist, a prominent belly is formed;
- If there is no waist, think several times whether it is worth using a belt. The fact is that the belt in this case will not work a miracle, but, on the contrary, will attract attention to the shortcomings of the figure.
Well, now to practice - take out your coat or jacket from the closet - let's start experimenting! All the described tying methods can also be used for dresses, skirts, shorts, trousers and jeans.
Reviews
Most people who experience lumbar pain are satisfied with the effects of therapeutic belts. They claim that after regular use of orthopedic devices they were able to get rid of discomfort in the lower back.
Maxim, 42 years old: “When I was a student, I worked part-time as a loader, and that’s when I broke my back. From time to time, pain appeared in the lower back, which intensified by the age of 40 and began to spread to the buttocks, as well as the right leg. I went to the hospital, the doctor diagnosed stage 3 osteochondrosis with a hernia in the lumbar region. I was prescribed medications, physiotherapy, exercise therapy and an orthopedic belt to relieve the strain on my back. I wore the corset for about 3.5 hours a day, at first it was unusual, but then I got used to it, especially since the pain really eased while wearing it.”
Natalia, 30 years old: “I have been suffering from lower back osteochondrosis for about a year now. As part of complex therapy, I use medications, go to massage, physiotherapy, do gymnastics, and in addition, I regularly wear a special belt. I wear orthopedic devices when I go to work. Previously, it was difficult for me to overcome this path due to severe pain in the lower back, but now this problem has disappeared.”
Denis, 40 years old: “A year ago I had surgery to remove a hernia in the lumbar region. During rehabilitation, the doctor prescribed wearing a rigid orthopedic corset for 4 weeks. Now I only use it during long car trips. There is no discomfort in the back, even if the road is bumpy.”
History of the Russian belt
The word “belt” itself comes from the Old Russian “yasati”, which means “to gird/knit”; in turn, “yasati” is associated with the word “yasalo” - “belt”. It's amazing how the word has evolved over a thousand years. The verb “belt”, literally meaning “to tie with yasal”, formed a new noun “belt”.
Since ancient times in Rus', the belt has been an indispensable component of both men's and women's clothing and occupied a significant place in the spiritual and economic spheres of people's lives. In the Old Russian costume, the belt was used not so much to support the upper part of the costume (the waist clothing was held not on the belts themselves, but on raised cords - cups), but rather to retain heat. At this time and in subsequent periods of history, the belt was a social sign and often represented the regalia of an official. The common people girded themselves with a simple belt or woven belt; richer people had plaques made of copper and precious metals on their belts, as well as iron buckles of various shapes. High-ranking officials, military leaders, large feudal lords, and princes wore precious belts, often decorated with gold and studded with stones. The Nikon Chronicle, in its story about the internecine war between the sons of Vsevolod III Yuri and Constantine in 1216 at the Battle of Lipitsa, mentions “Dobrynya Ryazanich of the Golden Belt.” Foreigners called the members of the Novgorod veche “golden belts.” In the spiritual letters of the great princes and kings, expensive belts are often mentioned as inherited family treasures. The sons of the great princes, inheriting their inheritance, received jewelry along with them, among which there were always gold belts. According to contemporaries, Ivan Kalita had ten precious belts, Dmitry Donskoy - eight. Because of the golden belt of Prince Vasily Kosoy, a feudal war broke out in 1433. Sofya Vitovtovna, the mother of Vasily II, publicly tore off the gold belt from Vasily Kosoy at her son’s wedding. To unbelt a person meant to dishonor him: this was the reason for hostilities.
Various necessary things were usually hung from a belt, belt or gold: a knife in a sheath, a spoon in a case, a brass or horn comb. Since during the Middle Ages there were usually no pockets on clothes not only in women’s, but also in men’s suits, The belts were necessarily hung with bags that replaced a pocket - a wicket and a pouch. Also, the role of a bag was often played by simply a belted shirt, hence the expressions “put it in your bosom” or in a “zashnik” (gasnik/gasnik is a rope, a belt).
Wide fabric sashes of bright colors became an indispensable part of men's clothing starting from the 14th century, due, as E.V. Kireev, Horde influence. In the pre-Mongol era, an untucked shirt was belted exclusively with a narrow belt. Ordinary townspeople wore red sashes over their caftans; the rich had sashes made of more expensive, often imported fabrics with specially decorated ends that hung down in front.
Medieval fabric sash. Reconstruction by Dmitry Frolov
In the 18th-19th centuries, wide colored sashes were used mainly in the clothing of the common people. Along with them, in constant use there were belts of different widths and colors, but without metal plaques. Leather belts were usually worn by men. In particular, representatives of the medieval military classes wore belts over cloth and woven sashes.
Belt over cloth and woven sash. Here, belts perform different functions, holding different objects. Reconstruction
There were also belts made of bast. The most widespread in the 19th century were woven and woven belts made of wool, linen, and silk. Narrow woven belts served mainly to girdle shirts, while wide ones (sash, girdle) were used to girdle outer clothing.
Wide and long belts, up to 3-4 meters long, wrapped several times around the waist, are most characteristic of Ukrainian and South Russian costume. In the old days, Turkish and Persian silk sashes were widely used as festive belts, especially among the Cossacks. At the end of the 18th century, the production of silk, so-called Slutsk belts, began in Belarus, which were not inferior in quality and beauty to oriental belts. However, most of the belts were woven by the peasant women themselves. Festive belts were ornamented, their ends were decorated with tassels that hung to the knees and below. Girls and women often attached a pocket made of fabric to their belts for sweets or money.
The most important
As you can see, a back belt for lower back pain will help relieve discomfort and speed up recovery. There are different types of orthotics, so it is important to choose the right one for you. This decision should be made together with your doctor, even if you need the belt for prevention. When choosing a product, you need to take into account its size, material, type, quality of seams, fittings, design, and your own feelings while wearing it. And you should also remember that you need to wear a back belt for an average of 4–6 hours; if necessary, the doctor will extend this time. A lumbar corset will help cope with pain, stop further destruction of the cartilage and bone structures of the spine, and speed up the process of tissue regeneration.