OPTP SI-LOC, SI Joint Belt for Women, Sacroiliac Belt, Lower Back Support Belts for Men, Low Back & Pelvic Pain Relief - Large/Extra Large

I NEVER take the time to review products, but the SI-LOC belt so far exceeded my expectations that I feel it's necessary. I purchased this belt when I was approximately 12 weeks pregnant and had started having terrible sacro-iliac joint pain (to the left and right of my spine, near the top of my hiney, in my lower-back area). I had never experienced this before, and it was different than having pulled muscles in my lower back. Getting in and out of bed to use the potty multiple times per night became excruciating! It was a physical therapist friend who let me borrow her belt to try out - and I soon ordered my own. It has made ALL THE DIFFERENCE in the remainder of my pregnancy! I am now 30 weeks pregnant, and wear this belt nearly every day.Pros:1. Perfect sizing - the S/M belt can be cinched down if you are smaller or expanded if you are larger due to the long velcro area (nearly the length of the entire belt). Even now, almost 20 pounds heavier than when I bought it (with most of the weight in one place), it still fits me. **NOTE: You wear this belt BELOW your belly, basically right at your bikini zone, so even a large pregnant belly does not interfere. However, I would still recommend checking with your doctor about it if you're preggo. I found out later that the SI-LOC company does make a pregnancy-specific belt, although I think the regular one works just great.2. Simplicity - I would never have believed that something so simple could make such a massive improvement in my SI pain. It's not rocket science, but it works beautifully.3. Cost - I was willing to pay anything to relieve my SI pain, so ~$30 was extremely reasonable. Plus, you'll be able to use this belt through multiple pregnancies/multiple years.4. Construction quality - excellent. I wear it nearly every day, taking it off and on to go to the restroom or when I just want a break (like to eat). I have seen no wear at all, nor with the belt that I borrowed from my friend (which is several years older than my belt) - they look the same, though hers might have gotten slightly darker in color.5. Function - I felt/feel relief beginning the moment that I put it on and cinch it down. It stays in place and doesn't slip. They recommend that you wear it over clothes/underwear, but I have worn it under my underwear to sleep at night so that I wouldn't have to take it off/on when going to the potty during the night. Although it was slightly less comfortable directly against my skin, it did not prevent me from sleeping.6. Long-term benefit - I can tell a significant difference (improvement!) in my pain when I have been wearing the belt for longer periods of time - the pain is decreased when I take the belt off again.7. Improved mobility - when I am wearing the belt, I am able to do things that I could NOT do without the belt on. At this stage of pregnancy, simple bending/twisting with housecleaning would send stabs of pain through my SI joint. The SI-LOC belt TREMENDOUSLY improves what I can do. (I'm not saying that I never have SI pain anymore - but it is very manageable now, with lots of periods of painlessness.)Cons:1. Color/style - it's not a thing of beauty. It's a neutral tan color. If you're looking for something fashionable, this is not it. And, as far as I know, there are no other color options. But, really, who cares? I wear it under my clothes and most of the time it is not discernable through what I'm wearing.2. Instructions - the instructions were a little lacking on how to actually put the belt on. It wasn't just intuitively obvious where the black slider should go, on which side, etc. And it's not very clear where exactly to put it on your body - they use the Advanced Anatomy & Physiology terminology for where it should go on your body (probably because this is meant to be used by medical professionals who would know what those terms mean). You can solve this by 1. asking a smart/medically-saavy friend, or 2. looking up the words on the internet. Nevertheless, I figured it out. **NOTE: the instructions are EXTREMELY thorough, however, in regard to what it does for you and the science behind it (complete with literature citations, if you're interested in that), which I really appreciated.

The SI-LOC belt arrived much faster than I expected from amazon orders. Today is the first day I've worn it, and I already notice a HUGE difference. I wish I had discovered this years ago rather than relying on an ineffective lumbar brace. I didn't discover until recently the lumbar pain was secondary - it was really an unstable pelvis. I wish more people knew the difference (I only found this through trial and error, and hunting it down online), and that chiropractors would explain where the SOURCE of the problem is and suggest an SI belt for those with SI problems. Lumbar support is good secondary support, but does not stabilize the pelvis. Plus, the SI belt provides much better freedom of movement and comfort.After a few hours I had no hip or lower back pain. Earlier today I was really hurting due to overzealous hip stretches (be careful)! I have my chiropractor appointment tomorrow and intend to wear it afterward to "hold" the adjustment because my hips always get pulled askew by a tight psoas muscle on the left side. For less than the price of one adjustment, I believe this belt will allow me extend my visits from every 1-2 weeks to 3-4 weeks - so it will pay for itself quickly! It is very comfortable, and I forgot I was wearing it until it hit me that I had no pain! It does cause a slight "muffin top" syndrome, but my husband said he didn't notice it at all through my pants.This S/M seems to run more towards Medium - I have 40" hips and I can't imagine being able to tighten it down to 36" and have a snug fit. The belt widens towards the sides and back (you can't tighten past the wider point) so it is probaly best for 38" and up hips. I'm not sure what smaller women/men with small hips would do unless there is an extra small size.Overall, AWESOME bargain for the money and I wish I'd heard of a product like this long ago! I also recommend the Sacro Wedgy - but if you can only afford one, buy the SI-LOC. :)

Finely in my 4th pregnancy I have found something that actually helps my pelvic and back pain! Due to my pubic symphysis separation, pain is just a part of every day life, and I have tried just about everything to help make the pregnancies manageable. But this SI joint belt is seriously the first thing I have used or have done that has actually provided me noticeable relief. I can tell that I am getting support and stability within my pelvis, and it really does help provide pain relief because I can just “ratchet strap” that bad boy in as tight as it needs to go, which helps prevent further separation. It is not perfect, I do still have pain, but using this support belt for sure allows me to still be functional while chasing around 3 small kids, and while working 12 hr shifts. I honestly tell every pregnant woman I can that is having pelvic pain to use an support belt (and I am a labor and delivery nurse, so that is a lot of women!).The only negative thing I can say about this belt is that the “carpet grip” on the inside of the belt that helps prevent it from moving isn’t super effective. I do have to readjust it quite frequently. And it seems like the spacing on the grip is off. It doesn’t actually align with an intentional part of my body. Which is just weird, but it still works. For the price, it is a good product! Frankly, I’m more annoyed that I didn’t use this type of support belt sooner with my pregnancies.