Waist Training: Can it Help or Worsen Back Pain?

Have you been looking for the “perfect” hack to achieve an “hourglass figure” but fear that it might compromise other aspects of your health? Are you worried that wearing waist trainers can eventually put excess pressure on your spine and lead to constant back pain? Do you really need to sacrifice comfort to achieve your dream bod?

Influencers and celebrities have been driving the modern obsession for shapewear like waist trainers. It has gotten so popular that the global market for shapewear is estimated to reach up to $3.7 billion in five years time. However, the growing popularity for such products have also raise concerns especially among individuals with recurring back pain.

Most people ask if it’s safe to use even when you have an achy back or can waist trainers further cause posture problems and other long-term health concerns. 

Let’s help you assess how you should approach waist trainers when you are a back pain sufferer. Additionally, make sure to read on to learn how you can address recurring back pain symptoms with a proven upper cervical care regimen.

Waist Training and Back Pain

Waist training is a form of body shaping that has recently been gaining popularity. It’s similar to wearing corsets, which were a standard component of women’s outfits back in the day. The only difference with waist trainers is that they don’t provide maximum compression or constriction around the waist and pelvis area. Instead, they only create the illusion of a slimmer body shape.You may be wondering if waist training can help reduce back pain. Well, the answer is yes! While it's true that there are many other factors that can contribute to back pain, such as poor posture or weak core strength, wearing a waist trainer helps strengthen the muscles and improve your posture over time. This will help to alleviate some of the stress placed on your spine when carrying around extra weight.Here’s how it works: 

• The waist trainer provides support for your torso, which helps keep your spine in alignment and reduces stress on the spine by distributing pressure on a larger area of muscle tissue.
• Wearing a waist trainer improves posture because it encourages proper sitting, standing, and walking positions. 
• It can help alleviate chronic back discomfort caused by poor posture at work or during daily tasks such as vacuuming or cleaning housework.
• A firm and good quality waist trainer might also help improve circulation throughout the body because tight lacing encourages blood flow into the deep tissues where oxygen is needed most.

How to Waist Train The Right Way

Now, just like any other option for posture improvement, you must ensure to use waist training correctly. Otherwise, it could bring about worse back pain problems. Additionally, the material can put excess pressure on your body and trigger problems like constipation or worse - nerve damage. Here are must-know tips so you can use waist trainers properly: 

• Start with a waist trainer that is the right size for you. If it is too tight, you may experience back pain and be unable to move around freely.
• Make sure it isn't too tight. Wear your waist trainer 8 hours a day or less, but not when sleeping! 
• It's best to remove the waist trainer while you sleep and then put it back on in the morning.
• Do not wear one (or attempt using one) if you have lumbar herniation or any spinal issues because doing so could worsen your condition. 
• Similarly, don't wear one if you're pregnant as well as after giving birth because doing so can result in issues that might affect you or the baby.
• Incorporate light exercises in your waist training.

How Can Upper Cervical Chiropractic Care Improve Your Results?

One of the best ways to get to the bottom of a back pain and improve posture is seeking upper cervical chiropractic care. The technique helps relieve pain and fix spinal misalignments that prevent the muscles, joints, nerves and other tissues from healing after a traumatic injury. If you’re unsure why you should seek an upper cervical doctor in the first place, you should go over our quick list of questions:

• Is back pain sucking the joy out of your life?
• Do medications for back pain relief no longer work for you?
• Did you suffer from a blow to the head or the next several years ago?
• Were you a victim of physical abuse?
• Do you have recurring neck pain that seems to aggravate the aching sensation on your back?
• Are you willing to try a whole new approach to restoring health and vitality?

A “yes” answer to two or more question is a clear sign that you should try consulting with a cervical chiropractic doctor. After all, it’s highly likely that your pain today has something to do with injuries you sustained years or decades ago like whiplash from a car accident or a severe blow to the neck and head during a sports competition. You can find a credible cervical chiropractor in your area through our comprehensive Find-a-Doctor directory.

to schedule a consultation today.