Is Your Support Brace Causing You More Harm Than Good?
Braces are commonly prescribed by physicians for injury recovery or post-surgery to support a specific joint and assist with healing. It is important to note that the goal is gradual weaning off the brace and returning to normal function. Much like anything else, when you become dependent on using a brace there are some adverse effects that follow. Many of these adverse effects will limit your body from naturally functioning at your optimal level during the activities you enjoy.
In this post I want to focus on the braces people purchase over the counter and use for joint pain. These over-the-counter braces are typically purchased and worn on your hand, wrist, elbow, knee, ankle, and postural bracing for your back to help alleviate pain. These braces can range in price from costly to inexpensive. If the only goal is temporary pain relief, these braces can help in that regard. But, they can also cause adverse effects on the injured body part and make the problem worse with time. For this reason, the permanent use of a brace is a poor solution when compared to the long-term success and permanence of physical therapy. Additionally, braces can be bulky, very hot, and uncomfortable to wear.
Braces can be somewhat effective for temporary use during injury recovery. However, because they are doing the work of both small and large muscles, prolonged use is problematic. This is because the brace becomes the main support system for the injured joint instead of your own muscles. While the layperson tends to focus on the joint itself, the surrounding muscles are very important in joint function and play a significant role in the overall function of the musculoskeletal system. When muscles become weak (as they can do when braces are used long-term), decreased joint stabilization occurs. This is due to the brace taking over the job for muscles and could eventually result in a reduction of functional movement, increased joint tightness, and, in some cases, a worsening pain cycle.
As a physical therapist, I don’t want you to become reliant on a brace in order to complete everyday tasks or to enjoy your favorite hobbies and weekend events. In most cases, a specific strengthening and mobility program can help reduce pain while eliminating the reliance on a brace during injury recovery.
Stop wasting your time relying on a brace to do the work your muscles can do. Imagine a day where you can play a full 18 holes of golf or be able to stand up the whole day with your friends while wine tasting without having to depend on that annoying, bulky, and unattractive knee brace. CLICK HERE to schedule your FREE DISCOVERY VISIT or FREE PHONE CONSULTATION!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Dr. Garrett Desrosiers PT, DPT
Garrett is the CEO and Co-Owner of ProResults Physical Therapy Inc. in San Marcos, CA (North San Diego County). Garrett has been helping on-the-go active adults and athletes across the south western United States return to a pain-free active lifestyle without medications, injections, surgery or making unnecessary trips to the physician’s office since 2015. He graduated in 2013 with his Bachelors of Science in Kinesiology then went on to receive his Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Husson University in 2015. After working for three years in multiple fast paced outpatient orthopedic physical therapy clinics, Garrett quickly realized he was not able to provide the elite quality care he knew his clients deserved. Garrett felt clients were more than just a number or diagnosis and that in order to provide the time, empathy, passion, and high-quality treatment they deserved, starting his own private practice was the only option. Garrett is committed to helping every client make the best decision in regard to their health. His unique, personalized, eclectic, multifaceted approach takes those individuals who have decreased their activities or stopped being active all together to a real solution.