Serola Biomechanics, Inc.

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

WHERE DO I MEASURE?

1. Place your hands on the sides of your hips and move your legs. 
2. You will find the tops of your leg bones, called trochanters, move under your hands. 
3. Gently dig into your leg with your fingers and find the tops of your trochanters. 
4. On front of your pelvis, on each side, you will find a bony point called Anterior Superior Iliac Spine (ASIS) just below your waist. 
5. Measure two inches above the tops of your trochanters, just below the ASISs.

HOW DO I WEAR THE BELT?

1. Wear the Serola Sacroiliac Belt just above the leg bones that protrude from the sides of your hips (trochanters), and just below ASIS in front of your hips.
2. Close the belt tightly around your hips.
3. Pull the two elastic bands around toward the front. To ensure the best fit, always put the belt on this manner.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ORIGINAL & NEW BELT?

The New Serola Sacroiliac Belt is the same belt in basic function but with a significant change in comfort and grip. The first layer is changed from cotton to an open-cell urethane foam. More...

As the elastic pulls the cotton layer backwards, folds may develop in the cotton layer if it is not tight enough.

During painful episodes, the Serola Sacroiliac Belt should be worn as much as possible during the day and night. If irritation is encountered while wearing the belt, discontinue use and see a doctor who is familiar with the spine.

For maximum safety, support, and to help avoid pain, the Serola Sacroiliac Belt should be worn whenever you engage in activities involving bending, lifting or twisting.

HOW DO I WASH THE SEROLA BELT?

• Original Serola Belt: Hand wash only in cold water. Cotton will shrink if washed in hot water. Use mild detergent; rinse thoroughly in cold water. Line dry.
  
• New Serola Belt: Hand wash only. Hot or cold water. Rinse well in cold water to remove soap residue from the small open cells in the foam. Line dry.
  

PLACEMENT OF THE BELT

Position and placement of the sacroiliac belt was tested in several unrelated experiments. Each group tested the upper position (at or just under the anterior superior iliac spine [ASIS] and above the trochanters) and lower position (directly on the trochanters). The trochanters are the top of the leg bones that protrude out from the sides of the hips.

Those favoring the high position:

Snijders [1] developed a biomechanical model of the sacroiliac joint and found that "the belt must be positioned just cranial to the greater trochanter and caudal to the SI-joints. This is essential, because a higher position (higher than the upper position) could be useless or even counterproductive. A position of the belt caudal to the SI-joints has the added advantage, that it can counteract nutation by pressure on the caudal-dorsal side of the sacrum."

Vleeming [2] found "Wearing the belt just above the greater trochanters achieved self-bracing of the pelvis."

Damen et al. [3] studied healthy volunteers, using Doppler imaging of vibrations, which is a reproducible and reliable method of measuring SI laxity. They used a belt that measured about 3 inches wide at the SIJ, and fitted with strain gauges. They found that the belt provided less laxity (greater stability) in both the upper and lower positions but greater stability in the upper position.

Those favoring both positions, depending on purpose:

Mens et al. [5] studied women who were experiencing pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain, also using Doppler imaging of vibrations and also while performing the Active Straight Leg Raise (ASLR). In agreement with Damen, et al, above, they found that both the upper and lower positions significantly increased SIJ stability (lowered laxity) with the Doppler IV, but the upper position was again significantly more stable than the lower. However, with the ASLR test no difference was found in ability to raise the legs between the upper and lower belt positions.

In another study of 21 non-pregnant patients with peripartum pelvic girdle pain, Mens et al.[6] found that "ASLR (active straight leg raise test) with a belt reduced the impairment in 20 patients...One patient felt increased pain in the symphysial region as soon as the belt was tightened. Ten patients preferred the low position, seven the high position, and three had no preference."

Mens et al. [7] tested muscle strength on post-pregnant women during the Active Straight Leg Raising test. Eighty percent showed increased strength with half of the women preferring the high position and half the lower one.

Mens et al. [6] found that 20 of 21(95%) women had reduced impairment with a sacroiliac belt. "Ten patients preferred the low position of the belt, seven the high position, and three has no preference."

It should be noted that Damen et al. and Mens et al. tested the subjects in the prone position, where a lot of muscles are relaxed, while, in the Pel experiment, the model was considered standing.