My brace is cloth, with a pocket to add this plastic molded device if I want it, just over the low thoracic-lumbar region...the cloth support covers the whole thoracic and lumbar region. I bought the cloth support first, then later thought maybe I needed the plastic, but you are probably right...it probably feels pretty uncomfortable and could cause skin injury.

I do feel better when I use it, I just hate getting all fixed up in it...mine has velcro...it is super duper velcro and it doesn't move at all, but yours sounds like a better brace than mine. Mine wasn't cheap...I think over a hundred bucks, plus $35 for the molded plastic piece which I still have in its package...only problem is my brace has these shoulder harness pieces that after a while hurt my shoulders too...but it beats going without.