My husband has suffered from back pain and problems for as long as I've known him.  He's been in one too many car accidents and had one too many sports-related injuries for his back to ever be "normal" again.  Because of this incessant pain, my husband gets deep-tissue massages on a regular basis which seem to work temporarily.  The one thing each and every masseuse tells him is that the muscles in his lower back are extremely weak.

Dr. Michael Ho is a Doctor of Chiropractic and Acupuncture and has been practicing and teaching for more than 18 years.  He believes that the body has incredible healing powers and under the right conditions, these healing powers can potentially restore the body's prior functions.  Dr. Ho recognized that some elements are common amongst people who suffer from similar conditions, such as lower back pain. Armed with this knowledge, Dr. Ho continuously works with innovative engineers and scientists to develop products designed and formulated to help address the specific underlying causes of a problem.

The Decompression Belt is one of his latest inventions and sounded perfect for my husband to try.

The Decompression Back Belt from Dr. Ho is great for anyone suffering from lower back pain, stiffness or tension.  It is unlike any other support or back pain belt, because it provides clinical grade traction and decompression therapy.  Decompression is a proven technique endorsed by medical professionals used in both upper and lower back pain treatment, without the need for surgery or drugs.

The Decompression Belt is ideal for:

• Low back pain and hip pain
• Degenerative and herniated discs
• Sciatica related leg pain and numbness
• Back pain from work, play and sports
• Stress-related back pain

Using this device is extremely easy too.  First, make sure that the Decompression Belt is completely deflated.  Next, position the belt around your waist so that the bottom of the belt sits just about your hip.  Shift the belt into position so that it is properly aligned on your waist and then tighten it as much as you can.  A very snug fit is imperative for proper results, which is why it's extremely important to order the right size belt.

Next, pump up the belt using the included hand pump until you begin to hear the belt hiss.  Make sure that you're in the standing position while putting on the belt so that the fit you achieve is optimal.  Now that your belt is pumped up and secure, you should lie down with your knees propped up under two pillows, or sit relaxed in a comfortable chair.

You are encouraged to wear the Decompression Belt at least 3-4 times each day for 30 minutes each time.  Doing so will help train your muscles and your spine to adapt to the effects of traction.  Your back will begin to get stronger and feel better.  Once this happens, you can begin wearing the inflated belt several times per day for up to an hour at a time.  The Decompression Belt can be worn uninflated too and serves as an extra level of protection for your back.  You can wear an uninflated belt as often as you'd like, even while sleeping.

My husband has been wearing this device regularly for two weeks now.  He said that during the first few days of initial use, his back pain actually increased a tad, but after that, he could tell a dramatic difference for the better.  He claims to sleep better and feel better in general.  Wearing the Dr. Ho's Decompression Belt is also saving us money because my husband hasn't felt the need to go get one of those deep-tissue massages so far.

If you'd like to begin using the Dr. Ho's Decompression Belt, be sure to get proper clearance from your doctor and never wear it if you have any of the following conditions:

• Lumbar spine damage
• Acute lumbar injuries
• Spinal fractures
• Rib fractures
• Pelvic fractures
• Severe osteoporosis
• Serious cardiovascular or respiratory diseases
• Pregnant

Disclosure: I received a Decompression Back Belt from Dr. Ho's in order to facilitate my review. No other compensation was received. This product review is based on my own personal experiences with this item and is completely honest and objective.