Article categories
Correct belt positioning
The MHRA recently sent out a Medical Device Alert on the positioning of some hip belts, explaining the dangers of incorrect positioning for the user.
Below we explain the best way to position a hip belt.
What is the best position for a belt?
Belt is too high
If a belt is positioned too high up it provides a high risk of damage to the soft tissues of the abdomen, does not discourage posterior pelvic tilt, and allows for ‘submarining’ where the belt can end up higher up the body.
Belt at 45° angle
A common place to position a belt is at 45° but this is incorrect because it doesn’t do much for the person’s position. Positioning a belt like this could lead to injury and the individual can still slip into a posterior pelvic tilt. Submarining could also be possible which could lead to damage of the abdominal tissues.
The correct position
The correct belt position is at 80°+ which will help extend reach, keep the pelvis in place and discourage posterior pelvic tilt. This position will allow pressure relief off the ITs, and is safe as it will discourage submarining.
