When it comes to healing after an injury, the road ahead seems long and winding. Thankfully, there are many ways to ensure quick and efficient recovery, from the tried-and-true rest, ice, heat, repeat protocol, and physical therapy to regain mobility or adjustments at the chiropractor. However, one of the most important healing aspects after an injury is often overlooked and can decide how fast you regain strength, balance, and mobility – bracing. Bracing helps the body heal by offering stability, comfort, protection and compression after an injury while reducing overall pain. So, what is bracing and why is it essential for injury recovery?
What is Bracing?
Bracing is both a preventative measure and post-injury treatment designed to increase joint stability, improve alignment, and reduce repetitive movements that cause pain, such as twisting, bending and side-to-side motions. In addition, braces help offset pressure on the injured joints, thus allowing for a safe and quick return to daily activities like walking, cycling and more.
Benefits of Bracing
Braces effectively treat several injuries from back pain and osteoarthritis to carpal tunnel, tennis elbow, and more. They have been proven to decrease pain, improve function and promote proper healing. Those who brace post-injury enjoy an array of benefits, including:
- Reduced swelling and inflammation.
- Reduced pain.
- Additional support to the surrounding joints.
- Increased stability.
- Faster recovery.
At the same time, those who choose not to brace their injuries or those who remove their brace before their injury is fully healed can impact overall recovery by leaving themselves susceptible to further damage and prolonged rehabilitation.
Types of Braces:
Prophylactic: Often used by athletes and those with a high risk of injury through contact sports, this brace is meant to be a preventative measure taken to minimize the risk of sustaining an injury or re-injury.
Rehabilitative: Designed to provide support, immobilization and compression after an injury or surgery. Rehabilitative braces restrict movement to protect the injured area while also allowing for a return to regular activity. This brace is intended to be used as temporary external support to allow proper healing and recovery.
Functional: Used after an injury to offset weakened or degenerated structures, functional braces protect from further damage during recovery. In addition, this brace allows you to return to sports or daily activities that place stress on the injured joint or ligament while providing increased stability and body awareness.
Injuries that Benefit from Bracing:
Bracing is a safe and effective treatment for an array of injuries and conditions, including:
- ACL tear or sprain
- Back pain
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Chondromalacia (runner’s knee)
- Osteoarthritis
- Post-operative rehabilitation
- Rotator cuff injury
- Scoliosis
- Shoulder dislocation
- Tendonitis
- Tennis elbow
Get the Support You Need with Atlanta Medical Clinic
It’s time to get back to doing what you love, pain-free. The dedicated team at Atlanta Medical Clinic provides patients with state-of-the-art medical rehabilitation equipment to assist in their recovery process through custom braces, belts, supports, traction units, and more. Combined with our medical, therapeutic, and chiropractic treatments, you’ll experience rapid healing and recovery for a pain-free life. Contact us today to learn more.