What is a good back brace to purchase?

A PT recommending a back brace? Mine gave it to me with strict instructions on when to wear it. I suggest you ask your PT for type and brand, as he is the qualified one. Best of Luck

Here is my problem. You don't state why you need the brace other than pain. What is the cause of the problem not a symptom. I am against the brace and am somewhat surprised that a therapist would recommend a brace for pain. The problem with braces is that they make the problem worse not better. When you are in a brace it allows the muscles underneath to relax and not do what they should be doing normally. That then leads to more problems as you cannot live in a brace all of the time and when you are out the muscles have gotten weaker so that are not capable of handling even the lightest of stresses. So you are just opening yourself up for more pain and dysfunction. If this is all that your therapist is offering find another one. You should be on a program that emphasizes strength. That will help you reduce the pain levels and make you more functional. Try these two movements and see if they don't help reduce you complaints and make you feel looser and stronger. Sit in a straight chair and turn as far as you can to the left and then the right. Which way moved further if only a fraction. Start with the side that moves the most. Turn in that direction as far and hard as you can for fifteen seconds and then rest for thirty seconds. Now you are going to repeat that sequence twice more always going to the side that turns more. Remember to go as far and as hard as you can for the fifteen seconds and then resting for thirty seconds. After you have finished the last one and have rested start going the opposite direction. Again it will be done three times and always as far and hard as you can. At the conclusion of the three movements stand up and walk around. There should be more freedom that when you started and less pain. Next sit in the chair again and raise the left arm up as high as it will go and then the right arm. Which arm went up higher? Start with that arm and raise it up as hard and far as you can for fifteen seconds and then rest for the thirty seconds. Repeat this twice more and then after resting do the other arm the same way. After completeing this stand up and walk around there should be less pain and more mobility to the back. Do these movements as often as you can during the day and the problem will begin to resolve. Stay with these movements even after the problem has cleared. Good luck!