What is "ergonomics" and how does it relate to Back-A-Line? Quite simply, Ergonomics is the study of human characteristics needed to create the appropriate design (or re-design) of the working environment. Ergonomists must use all tools - space re-engineering, training, administrative controls, and predictable human behavior - to CHANGE any factor that could adversely affect the health or safety of the worker within the work environment. Researchers strive to learn about human characteristics (capabilities, limitations, motivations, and desires) so that this knowledge can be used to adapt a human-made environment to the people involved. Therefore, only equipment that can minimize risk, or administration techniques that can allow an employee to better withstand the risk, or a device that can CHANGE behavior to minimize risk, can truly be called ERGONOMIC. The following FAQs will clearly set Back-A-Line apart from all other back supports as being ergonomic.   What is the "primary" cause of most back injuries? What is the most common cause of back pain and injury? Contrary to popular belief, lifting is not the main cause of back pain and fatigue. In a nutshell, It's not WHAT you lift, but HOW you lift and, even more, how you do everything else! If you experience back pain after a long drive, doing the dishes, gardening, or even standing or sitting for a while, that’s an indication of risk to the spine. As a matter of fact, several studies have concluded that as little as 4% of back injuries are "one event" situations. All others require some level of poor body mechanics, usually over a long period of time, enough to render the spine "ready to go". Your mother told you to sit up straight. She was right, but did you listen? Poor postural habits are now "hard-wired" into your body mechanics, very difficult to change at the conscious level. As you’ll see in the next FAQ, Back-A-Line’s curved, firm lumbar pad, demonstrated in two peer-reviewed studies to improve posture by creating "proprioceptive feedback" (sub-conscious), can minimize this risk.   What is the most important benefit of a back support? IF POOR POSTURE IS THE CULPRIT, THE MAIN GOAL OF A BACK SUPPORT SHOULD BE TO IMPROVE POSTURE ! There are two types of injuries that occur to the lower back. One is muscular, called strains or sprains, caused by forcing the muscles and ligaments past their structural limits. Poor posture, no matter what you're doing, is the generally at fault. The other type of injury involves one or more of the discs that serve as a cushion between your vertebrae. Although improper lifting may be the proximate cause of an injury, most disc failures are caused by poor posture over a long period of time - repetitive motion. Over time, poor body mechanics will cause the many layers of fibers surrounding the vertebral discs to become stretched and torn unnaturally. These tears don't heal, so the fibers ultimately become unable to contain the disc. A "slipped disc" or, more properly, a rupture or herniation occurs. The bulging disc then pinches the nerve roots and problems such as chronic back pain or sciatica are the result. Arduous physical therapy, not to mention surgery, may be the only solution after the injury. The key, therefore, is to prevent the injury from occurring in the first place. Back-A-Line's patented lumbar pad has been independently proven (two peer-reviewed studies, several in-field at major corporations) to coax the spine into better posture, and support it accordingly. Elastic belts merely squeeze you in whatever posture you may already be in (which may be unsafe), without instilling better postural habits. If it doesn't improve posture, it's just not a back support! Summary: Only Back-A-Line, with a lumbar pad to promote good posture all the time, effectively prevents back injury. Aren't all back supports similar? ALL BACK SUPPORTS ARE NOT CREATED EQUAL A major study at WalMart (published in the Journal of American Medical Association) showed NO effect on pain or injury rates while using the elastic "girdle" devices! The makers are aware of the shortcomings and warn, "Belts should be snug when lifting and released when not." (the reason for suspenders) They just don't get it! Posture is an all-day concern yet they supply suspenders so that you can "release when not lifting". And, rather than "improving" posture, they merely "squeeze" existing posture, which may be unsafe, without creating better postural habits. If improving posture, all the time, is the goal, why would you ever "disable" a true back support? Several studies have shown that the pressure of a firm, curved surface against the back muscles can improve body mechanics and reduce back pain. Back-A-Line has the patent on a curved, firm pad, encased in a back support belt. No other back support can provide postural benefits or pain relief without a similar lumbar pad! Further, Back-A-Line’s non-stretch belt minimizes the risk of muscle atrophy, so prevalent in the "girdles". Read the testimonials from the experts, especially from the American Osteopathic Academy of Sports Medicine and see for yourself why Back-A-Line is different! Summary: Elastic belts do not promote and support safe posture. With its patented lumbar pad, the Back-A-Line belt has the only design that provides both back support and pain relief. How can the Back-A-Line Belt help me save money? Caring for an injured back can be extremely expensive. When the pain first appears, many people attempt to treat it with cheap elastic belts, aspirin, or heat blankets, wasting good money on "solutions" that don't actually treat the cause of the problem. Later on, many people may visit a physician, possibly needing surgery or other treatment. In many cases, Back-A-Line can work in synergy with the physician's treatments, acting as a "silent monitor", assuring better posture between appointments and a quicker recovery. The cost of treating an injured back is very high, and getting higher all the time. So what if you could avoid the injury in the first place? Think of how much money you would save in the long run -- not to mention the pain and discomfort of an aching back! Summary: The Back-A-Line belt is designed not only to reduce back pain, but also to actually help you avoid back injury, possibly saving you the huge costs of treatment down the road.