Sometimes, our bodies need a little help healing. Braces of all types can be helpful when this is the case. Many of the conditions we treat can be improved with the use of a supporting brace during healing.
As a treatment, bracing goes back to ancient Greece and Egypt, if not earlier. Bracing immobilizes the affected part of the body and provides support. Immobilization prevents you from putting more pressure on a joint or a body part that needs rest to heal. It can also prevent reinjury of healing tissue. For instance, the wrist splints that are used as part of carpal tunnel syndrome treatment minimize pressure on the median nerve to allow rest from the movements that aggravate carpal tunnel syndrome.
Depending on the injury and your personal physiology, either a rigid or an elastic brace may be used. An example of a rigid brace is the Boston Overlap brace. This brace is form-fitted and limits around 50% of the mobility in the spine. This can be used during recovery from a fracture or after surgery. These braces tend to be heavy and uncomfortable, so they are used only when necessary. Elastic braces, such as the corset back brace, are used more often. These provide less support but are far more comfortable and can be used for more conditions over a longer time than a rigid brace.
If your job involves heavy lifting, a corset brace may be recommended to provide support while you work. They can help improve your body mechanics during lifting by keeping the back straight, making it necessary to lift properly, using the legs.
At Clearway, a specially trained member of our team will perform your brace fitting and education in our offices.
During your appointment, your brace will be adjusted to ensure that it fits comfortably while also providing the necessary support. We will discuss factors like how to clean the braced area and how many hours per day you will have to wear the brace in order to see relief. For some injuries, braces should be worn as much as possible. For others, they can be worn only at night or during activities that are likely to cause pain.
Conditions Related to Bracing
Braces can provide the immobilization and support needed to treat a number of conditions that include:
Are you experiencing painful symptoms that could be related to an acute or repetitive stress injury? We can help. At Clearway Pain Solutions Institute, we bring together healthcare professionals from a range of disciplines to provide comprehensive and personalized care. Call for an appointment today.
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