The Forbes Health editorial team is independent and objective. To help support our reporting work, and to continue our ability to provide this content for free to our readers, we receive compensation from the companies that advertise on the Forbes Health site. This compensation comes from two main sources. First, we provide paid placements to advertisers to present their offers. The compensation we receive for those placements affects how and where advertisers’ offers appear on the site. This site does not include all companies or products available within the market. Second, we also include links to advertisers’ offers in some of our articles; these “affiliate links” may generate income for our site when you click on them.

The compensation we receive from advertisers does not influence the recommendations or advice our editorial team provides in our articles or otherwise impact any of the editorial content on Forbes Health. While we work hard to provide accurate and up-to-date information that we think you will find relevant, Forbes Health does not and cannot guarantee that any information provided is complete and makes no representations or warranties in connection thereto, nor to the accuracy or applicability thereof.

From acute strains to chronic aches, low back pain is one of the most common health concerns of U.S. adults ages 60 years and older. While it’s important to address the underlying cause and consult your physician on the appropriate way to manage it, a back brace can often come in handy, providing stability, support and short-term pain relief.

To determine the best back braces for seniors of 2022, the Forbes Health editorial team analyzed data on nearly 50 back braces across various companies. We considered factors, such as size availability, adjustability, wearability, price and more. Read on to see our top picks and find the best back brace for you.

Note: All prices are accurate as of publication and are subject to change.

This back brace from King of Kings scored the top spot on our list with its affordable price, various size availability, easy adjustability and versatile wearability. Two nylon bars on the sides help provide additional support for strained or tired lumbar muscles, but otherwise, the brace allows for enough movement for comfortable wear during daily activities.

This lumbar support belt from Dr. Bakst uses the power of magnets to help provide safe pain relief. It features 28 ergonomically placed Neodymium and ceramic magnets throughout the belt, as well as a velcro closure for easy adjustability. Meanwhile, it’s lightweight and low profile for comfortable wear underneath clothing.

ACE provides the most affordable back brace on our list—and one of the most lightweight picks, too. Made entirely of durable and breathable fabrics, this brace provides support while leaving plenty of room for full-range mobility. The wrap design makes it easy to put on and take off all while achieving a custom fit that feels comfortable for you.

If you’re looking for extra support and pressure relief in your lumbar area, consider this vectored design from BioSkin. It’s on the heavier side due to the level of compression it can provide, but it’s still low profile enough to fit comfortably over or under your clothing. It also features an ergonomic pulley system for easy adjustability and a custom fit every time you wear it.

This lumbar support brace from McDavid is one of the lowest profile and lightweight options on our list that still provides enough structure for people struggling with back pain and back-related injuries. Five steel stays provide stability for people with weakness and instability while the fabric construction keeps the brace breathable and comfortable.

This lumbar back brace from Sparthos combines low-profile, rigid support stays with breathable fabrics to give you support and range of motion simultaneously. It also features an extra lumbar pad for additional compression on your lower back. A wraparound velcro closure makes it easy to put on and adjust as well.

From posture correction to better back stability, there are a handful of reasons why seniors might use a back brace, according to Kevin McLaughlin, a board-certified orthopedic physical therapist at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland. The biggest one is pain relief.

“They can be for any number of conditions that would cause low back pain, but the goal, primarily, is pain relief,” he says.

Often, the compression provided by back braces can be helpful for seniors or anyone else looking for in-the-moment pain relief, explains McLaughlin.

However, that can be a double edged sword. “People become dependent on them,” he says. “I would consider it a passive pain relief technique similar to medication, massage and rest—basically, anything you allow to work on you versus you working on your own pain.”

The end goal, McLaughlin says, is to get people moving, whether they’re 20 or 80 years old. “If a back brace allows someone to move a bit more, I think it’s a good idea for a little while. I try to get patients out of the brace, though, because I don’t want it to be something they feel like they need to have on to get relief,” he adds.

That being said, some research suggests back braces can be helpful. One small study conducted on 230 participants with back pain found back braces, when worn for short periods of time, can help distribute pressure and prevent back injuries from worsening[1]Schott C, Zirke S, Schmelzle JM, Kaiser C, Fernández LAI. “Effectiveness of lumbar orthoses in low back pain: Review of the literature and our results.”. Orthop Rev (Pavia). 2018;10(4):7791. .

There are a handful of back brace styles available, but the most common ones include:

Rigid back braces keep you from moving, but McLaughlin generally doesn’t recommend anyone use this type of back brace unless prescribed by a doctor. “We give something very rigid called a ‘clamshell brace’ to scoliosis patients, but I would not recommend a rigid back brace to anyone else unless it’s necessary after a surgery or used for a very specific condition.”

Semi-rigid back braces feature supportive elements often found in rigid back braces with the range of motion of a flexible back brace and are often used for mild to moderate back pain. While better than a rigid back brace, semi-rigid back braces are still not high on McLaughlin’s list of recommendations except in specific situations because they can stop the spine from moving in certain ways.

As the name suggests, flexible back braces allow for the most mobility while providing support that can help relieve mild to moderate back pain. McLaughlin recommends flexible back braces to all of his patients. “You really want to look for something more flexible with gentle compression that helps with pain relief,“ he says.

Beyond brace style, there are several important factors to consider when shopping for a back brace.

While a super supportive back brace may feel like the best option, McLaughlin says it’s better to look for a back brace that allows your spine movement while removing pressure. “I would push someone toward the most minimal type of back brace,” he says.

You can look for back braces that target specific areas. “If you only have pain in your lower back, a waist belt back brace may be enough,” says McLaughlin. “If it’s higher up and you tend to feel like you need a higher brace, that would be okay, too.”

Finding a back brace that’s adjustable is important because it can help target a specific area of pain while remaining multifunctional. Look for braces with adjustable straps or pulley systems to ensure a customized fit and level of support.

McLaughlin also suggests looking for back braces that are made of fabric exclusively unless you’re dealing with a specific condition or situation (like scoliosis or a recent surgery that requires rigid stability). If you plan to wear the brace frequently, washable fabric can make cleaning easier. If you have any fabric allergies or sensitivities, be sure to take them into account when reading product labels to avoid reactions.

Regardless of the type or severity of  pain you’re looking to relieve, always consult your physician before using a back brace and to find the right brace for you.

To determine the best back braces for seniors of 2022, the Forbes Health editorial team evaluated nearly 50 products marketwide. To determine rankings, we analyzed products based on the following factors:

A back brace should not be seen as a long-term solution, but there’s also no set amount of time for which you should wear one, says McLaughlin.

“If someone came in [to my office] and said they were using a back brace, I would tell them to use it for breakthrough pain—when their pain is at its worst,” he says. “I would also encourage them to make sure they were taking it off a few times a day.”

If you’re using a back brace in hopes of correcting poor posture, McLaughlin says it can serve as a reminder to stand up straight, but he doesn’t recommend keeping your back in one position all day.

“When we don’t move at all, that’s when people start having pain,” he says. “There’s a natural tendency to squirm around, lean forward, sit down and lean to the left and right, and those are all healthy habits. There are few people who are comfortable sitting up straight with perfect posture all day without moving out of it. It doesn’t seem very natural to me, and I doubt it feels very good.”

Unless your back pain tends to flare up at night and keep you from sleeping, McLaughlin does not recommend wearing a back brace to bed.

“At night when you’re lying down, you really don’t need stability,” he says. “Gravity isn’t really pulling on you at that point, so unless you have a lot of pain at night that prevents you from sleeping, at night would be one of the times I would least suggest wearing a back brace.”

Information provided on Forbes Health is for educational purposes only. Your health and wellness is unique to you, and the products and services we review may not be right for your circumstances. We do not offer individual medical advice, diagnosis or treatment plans. For personal advice, please consult with a medical professional.

Forbes Health adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. To the best of our knowledge, all content is accurate as of the date posted, though offers contained herein may no longer be available. The opinions expressed are the author’s alone and have not been provided, approved or otherwise endorsed by our advertisers.