Experiencing pain in the top of your arm? A shoulder brace support might help. Here’s what you need to know.
Disclaimer: This blog is for general information and shouldn’t replace medical advice.
Shoulders and Why They Might Be Hurting
Shoulders are considered to be the body’s most flexible and complex joints. They play a significant role in our daily lives without even thinking about it. For one, they allow for a wide range of movement, such as reaching, lifting, or rotating your arm. Yet, this flexibility can get overused, leading to a heavy feeling or a nagging pain.
Shoulder pain is common and can affect people of all ages. It can be caused by injuries due to poor posture and lifting something heavy. Or, it can result from dislocation, when the upper arm bone pops out of the shoulder socket. This can be from a fall, sudden impact, stretching or twisting the arm too far.
Conditions like arthritis may also be the cause. This can be very painful and make moving your arm and shoulder difficult.
If left untreated, shoulder pain can limit mobility. This is where shoulder brace supports can help, alongside other treatments.
What Does a Shoulder Support Do?
Shoulder supports are specialised orthopaedic devices that provide stability to the joint. They often come in the form of braces, worn like wraps or slings to reinforce the shoulder’s structures. Not all, though, are the same.
Shoulder braces can help with immobility and minimise the risk of re-injury. One example is the ProCare Shoulder Immobiliser with Foam Straps. It’s designed to exert upward pressure to immobilise the arm and shoulder.
Others provide compression, ideal for athletes returning to sport while recovering—or for those dealing with arthritis. This Elite Shoulder Support, for one, is suitable for such conditions and more.
Some braces work by offering resistance, which can help improve performance. Wearing one overall can also help increase the wearer’s awareness of the position of their arm. This is also known as proprioception.
A shoulder support can help in many ways, depending on the individual’s condition.
How Do I Know if I Need a Shoulder Brace?
You might benefit from a brace if your shoulder feels sore, unstable, or overworked. It also helps to monitor how your shoulder feels during everyday activities.
Do you rely on your other arm more than usual, or are you avoiding certain movements? Perhaps you find it a bit harder to do things like putting on a jacket, carrying a bag, or reaching overhead. That’s often a sign your body’s compensating.
A brace can be a reminder to take it easy or prevent further strain. Still, the best way to know for sure is to speak with your healthcare provider.
They can offer guidance based on your situation and help rule out anything more serious. From there, they’ll advise whether a shoulder brace is best or if another form of treatment might be better.
Physioroom supplies a range of support braces, including those for the arm, knee, back, and more. For inquiries, please contact our team at 01909 769 276.