A brace that provides support to a body of a wearer, comprising: a central support positioned between first and second lateral supports (120 and 130), wherein the central support has an elastic portion that is sufficiently elastic such that the central support stretches at least 10% more than its original length to conform to the body of the wearer when the brace is wrapped around a lower torso of the wearer, wherein the brace further comprises a fastener configured to removably couple the first lateral support to the second lateral support at or near an abdomen; wherein the brace further comprises an inelastic tightening system including; i) a single inelastic cord that threads through a first cord guide and a second cord guide, wherein the first and second cord guides (162 and 172) are coupled to opposite sides of the central support, wherein the entire central support is disposed between the first and second cord guides (162 and 172), and wherein the first cord guide is coupled to the first support, and wherein the second cord guide is coupled to the second support; or ii) a first inelastic cord and second inelastic cord that thread through a first cord guide and a second cord guide, wherein the first and second cord guides (162 and 172) are coupled to opposite sides of the central support, wherein the entire central support is disposed between the first and second cord guides (162 and 172), and wherein the first cord guide is coupled to the first lateral support, and wherein the second cord guide is coupled to the second lateral support; wherein the inelastic tightening system is configured to reduce an effective elasticity of the elastic portion and apply a force to a portion of the body of the wearer when tightened, and wherein the central support is capable of stretching at least 10% more when worn with the inelastic tightening system in a loosened configuration than when worn with the tightening system in a tightened configuration; and wherein the first lateral support and second lateral support are made at least in part from an inelastic material; characterized in that the single inelastic cord, or first inelastic cord and second inelastic cord, that thread through the first cord guide and the second cord guide, extend over a length of an outer surface of the elastic portion of the central support when worn. a central support positioned between first and second lateral supports (120 and 130), wherein the central support has an elastic portion that is sufficiently elastic such that the central support stretches at least 10% more than its original length to conform to the body of the wearer when the brace is wrapped around a lower torso of the wearer, wherein the brace further comprises a fastener configured to removably couple the first lateral support to the second lateral support at or near an abdomen; wherein the brace further comprises an inelastic tightening system including; i) a single inelastic cord that threads through a first cord guide and a second cord guide, wherein the first and second cord guides (162 and 172) are coupled to opposite sides of the central support, wherein the entire central support is disposed between the first and second cord guides (162 and 172), and wherein the first cord guide is coupled to the first support, and wherein the second cord guide is coupled to the second support; or ii) a first inelastic cord and second inelastic cord that thread through a first cord guide and a second cord guide, wherein the first and second cord guides (162 and 172) are coupled to opposite sides of the central support, wherein the entire central support is disposed between the first and second cord guides (162 and 172), and wherein the first cord guide is coupled to the first lateral support, and wherein the second cord guide is coupled to the second lateral support; i) a single inelastic cord that threads through a first cord guide and a second cord guide, wherein the first and second cord guides (162 and 172) are coupled to opposite sides of the central support, wherein the entire central support is disposed between the first and second cord guides (162 and 172), and wherein the first cord guide is coupled to the first support, and wherein the second cord guide is coupled to the second support; or ii) a first inelastic cord and second inelastic cord that thread through a first cord guide and a second cord guide, wherein the first and second cord guides (162 and 172) are coupled to opposite sides of the central support, wherein the entire central support is disposed between the first and second cord guides (162 and 172), and wherein the first cord guide is coupled to the first lateral support, and wherein the second cord guide is coupled to the second lateral support; wherein the inelastic tightening system is configured to reduce an effective elasticity of the elastic portion and apply a force to a portion of the body of the wearer when tightened, and wherein the central support is capable of stretching at least 10% more when worn with the inelastic tightening system in a loosened configuration than when worn with the tightening system in a tightened configuration; and wherein the first lateral support and second lateral support are made at least in part from an inelastic material; characterized in that the single inelastic cord, or first inelastic cord and second inelastic cord, that thread through the first cord guide and the second cord guide, extend over a length of an outer surface of the elastic portion of the central support when worn.