MAC Plus Lumbar Spine Decompression Belt & Laminectomy Recovery Brace

The Best Back Belt for Surgical and Non-surgical Lumbar Decompression

Chronic low back pain stemming from degenerative changes in the spine is quite common. In fact, such changes in the spine are evident in an estimated 95% of those over the age of 50, with the lumbar spine being the most common site of pain. Such degeneration can lead to the following back pain-causing conditions

• sciatica
• spinal stenosis
• spondylolisthesis
• herniated discs
• spine compression fractures
• facet syndrome

Treatment of spinal injuries typically focuses on reducing pressure on its tissues, which can ease pain and inflammation.  That is where back decompression comes into play.

There are both surgical and non-surgical modes of spinal decompression treatment, but in either case the goal is the same: to relieve pressure on one or several pinched nerves of the spinal cord.

How Can this MAC Plus Low Back Brace Help?

This decompression back belt for stenosis and more produces intracavitary pressure that reduces force on the discs of your spine. The low-friction pulley system of this decompression back brace makes it easy to apply this pressure. It amplifies your force by a three-to-one ratio, for smooth, easy generation of abdominal pressure.

This pulley system is so easy to operate that you can control it using just one hand, even after decompression surgery when you are feeling weak. This pulley system also makes it easy to adjust the back brace for compression fracture care as you shift from a standing to a sitting position or vice versa.

The belt for spinal compression fracture treatment comes with a tall posterior panel for additional support. This is another feature that makes it appropriate for those going through laminectomy or microdiscetomy surgery recovery.

Leading up to and shortly after these spinal decompression surgeries, you can use the back panel for added support and protection against damaging movement. It supports the lumbar spine from the L1 to the L5 vertebra—in other words, the entire lumbar spine.

As you go through the recovery process for a laminectomy or discectomy and mobility and strength improve, you can remove the panel, giving you a bit more flexibility than the chair-back version of belt allows. You will not need any special tools to remove the panel.

Decompression Belt Geared for User Comfort

The back panel as well as the spinal decompression belt contours to your body. Plus you can adjust the panel’s height.

Putting on the brace for spinal decompression therapy is as simple as wrapping it around the torso and securing the pull tab to the Velcro closure at the front of the body. The front closure means you don’t have to twist your torso, which could cause further damage after a spinal laminectomy or microdiscectomy surgery.

Adding to its comfort factor, the compression fracture back brace is lightweight and breathable. Plus it is so low profile it can even fit beneath clothes. This makes the spinal decompression back brace that much less of an inconvenience to wear.

The brace for lumbar disc decompression comes in a simple, black color.

Lumbar Decompression Treatment for Back Pain

What is spinal decompression? The word “decompression” typically refers to lumbar decompression surgery to create more space for the nerve root(s) and create a better healing environment.

This might be necessary if you are dealing with lumbar pain stemming from a compression fracture of the back, a herniated disc, sciatica or spinal stenosis, for example.

Two of the most common types of lumbar decompression surgery are a microdiscectomy and a laminectomy.

What’s the Difference Between a Microdiscectomy and Laminectomy Procedure?

Lumbar microdiscetomy involves removing a small portion of a bone or disc material above or below the nerve root to relieve pressure on it. This is often the procedure of choice if you are dealing with leg pain stemming from a herniated disc, often referred to as sciatica.  

Decompressive laminectomy is a similar procedure that is often used if your low back pain stems from spinal stenosis, or a narrowing of the open spaces within the spine. For this procedure, a surgeon removes bone spurs or enlarged ligaments that are cutting into the space within one’s spine.

In some cases, spinal fusion will be performed with a laminectomy. Fusing the joint can help stabilize it after a laminectomy, reducing the risk of complications such as post-laminectomy syndrome.

Laminectomy syndrome is where the back pain persists after surgery. This can occur due to structural changes with the spine or because the nerve root is unable to heal, even after pressure on it has been removed. This is another instance where the compression and support of the MAC Plus belt may be needed.

Recovery from microdiscectomy or laminectomy will involve limiting motion and protecting the back. This back belt with its back panel is great for this, as it limits side-to-side movements of the torso, reduces pressure on the lumbar spine and supports the weakened tissues of your back. 

As you go through lumbar laminectomy or microdiscectomy recovery, you can remove the panel, creating a more flexible brace that still offers support.

Non-surgical Treatment of Lumbar Back Pain

While surgery is often necessary to achieve lasting pain relief, such procedures do come with risks and a high cost. Therefore, there are non-surgical steps you can take first or instead of undergoing lumbar laminectomy or microdiscectomy surgery.

Wearing a brace like this is one such method, since the intra-abdominal pressure it creates eases pressure on the spine. The lumbar spinal decompression brace also limits harmful motion so that healing can occur.

Other go-to steps for treating low-back pain without surgery include:

• Rest the back and avoid aggravating activities.
• Use ice and heat therapy to manage pain, inflammation and stiffness.
• Improve your posture. A brace with a chair-back insert like this can help, especially when you’re sitting. Or you might want to check out some of our other posture braces.
• Strengthen and improve the flexibility of the back by doing certain stretches and exercises. But since some exercises can actually make the situation worse, always consult a professional about what you should/should not be doing.

FAQs on the Decompression Back Belt

Sizing Chart