The RICE Rule
Every sports fan should know the RICE rules of first aid to minimize pain, swelling, redness and impaired joint function after a sporting injury.
Recovery
Supports and braces are quick and practical to put on. They also offer optimum relief and stabilization for the affected areas, which is why they are often used to treat sports injuries.
To get back on your feet again and recover quickly, you should:
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]]>It’s no secret that taping your ankle is more time-consuming than slipping on and strapping up an ankle brace, not to mention there’s greater room for error if you don’t know how to tape properly.
If done properly, ankle taping is a great way to give your ankle more stability if you are returning to a sport from an ankle injury. There are a number of different techniques to athletically taping depending on which ligaments have been injured and the type of activity you are doing. Please consult with your physician or a medical professional to help you decide on the best treatment option for you.
Remember that if you go with ankle taping, once you start back in the field or on the court, your ankle tape will loosen up and might not provide enough ankle support to prevent further injury. It’s also important to be cautious and know the best techniques for ankle taping because if your ankle isn’t taped properly, it won’t offer enough support to reduce the risk of injury and could cause more serious problems.
Learn how to tape your ankle for optimum support here.
Both ankle taping and wearing an ankle brace during sports and activity can reduce the risk of an ankle injury, however, an ankle brace is generally considered the best choice for ankle protection.
Ankle tape can be supportive, but ankle braces are thicker and more rigid which means more support and protection for the ankle and ankle joints. A good ankle brace will mimic the effects of ankle taping using prefabricated sleeves with adjustable straps.
The cost of ankle braces vary depending on the material, quality, however, they tend to be more cost-effective than tape, as they can be reused as needed for support and protection. Ankle braces may also lose some of their support and loosen up during or after exercise, but they can be easily readjusted, which takes less time than re-taping your ankle.
Ankle braces further help stabilize and support ankle joints, avoid future injuries, reduce pain and swelling, and avoid future injuries. There are a variety of different ankle braces based on the type of injury you have and the level of support you need.
Learn about the benefits of ankle braces for athletes here.
Whether you are recovering from an injury or are just looking for some extra support and protection around your ankles, give your ankle the support and protection it needs. The best ankle braces feature anatomical designs to ensure a good fit and adjustable laces and straps for comfort and stability.
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Wearing a back brace for posture support can quickly fix the issues of your hunched shoulders and a slouched posture. These supports help retrain your muscles so that your back maintains an upright position with minimal effort.
Improved posture will help you look perfectly straight and make it easier for you to stay fit and live an active lifestyle. Good posture will also make you look taller, thinner, and improve your energy levels.
Back braces aren’t just for improving posture. Learn the additional benefits of wearing a back brace here.
Pro Tip: If you use back braces and supports too much, you may become dependent on them and actually worsen your posture in the long run. Be sure to also use posture-strengthening exercises in combination with a back brace, support or posture corrector.
There are different back braces and supports you can wear to help improve your posture.
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]]>Wrists tend to take a beating throughout the day. Whether you’re typing, texting, picking up a bag or getting up off the floor, you’re putting a lot of pressure and movement on your wrists, which can cause uncomfortable pain.
In addition to medication, therapy, and sometimes surgery, there are a variety of wrist braces, splints, and supportive devices that can help manage wrist pain and injuries.
Wrist braces are worn around the wrist to protect it from further injury. Braces offer support to the joints and sometimes provide heat compression to the bones and ligaments to allow for healing.
Wrist splints are a lot like wrist braces, but they have a rigid splint to restrict motion for extra support. While they may not always offer complete relief, they do minimize pressure on nerves while supporting and stabilizing your wrist for quicker healing.
At Doc Ortho, we have a range of wrist braces, splints, and supports that provide compression and support to the wrist, while easing pain and discomfort. Protect your wrist from further injury and speed up your overall healing process.
Wrist braces and wrist splints are available with a wide range of support levels and can be used during initial recovery for moderate to severe conditions requiring little to no movement of the wrist. Typically made of neoprene and metal, they can be used to treat arthritis, injuries, and other conditions to the wrist.
Whether you have carpal tunnel syndrome, recovering from surgery or, nursing an injury, talk to your doctor about whether a wrist brace or wrist splint will work for you.
Pro Tip: Excessive or continuous use of a wrist brace or wrist splint can lead to chronic pain and/or stiffness of a joint, or even muscle weakness.
Ideal for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, tendonitis, moderate to severe sprains and strains, after cast removal and arthritis
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For relief from minor wrist sprains and strains as well as carpal tunnel, arthritis, tendonitis and post-operative rehab issues.
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SportMesh is a durable, multi-stretch and breathable material that provides firm support while promoting circulation healing. Ideal for those who are allergic or irritated by neoprene fabric.
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DocOrtho.com stocks only the best in orthopedics so you can get you back to performing at optimal capacity and feeling your best. Whether you’re looking for a back brace for your postsurgical recovery or tending to a muscle strain, we’ve got a wide variety of high-quality back braces to help you with that pesky lower back pain.
For the majority of people, back pain is likely to resolve on its own after a short period of time. Back braces work best for pain that has lasted longer than a few days but isn’t chronic (longer than three months), as they can provide pain relief as well as increase your mobility.
Lower back braces are used to restrict painful movements, such as twisting or bending and prevent future injuries. Other potential benefits of back braces for lower back pain:
If you’re suffering from mild or moderate lower back pain, though, you do have options. We have a wide selection of back braces for lower back pain can help you get through the day.
Let’s learn more about ACL injuries.
]]>Your ACL, or Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) connects your thigh to your shin and is one of the main ligaments that helps stabilize your knee joint.
ACL injuries are common among athletes because you are more likely to tear or injure your ACL when stopping suddenly and changing direction. In fact, ACL tears affect more than 200,000 people a year.
Let’s learn more about ACL injuries.
ACL injuries, or ACL tears, are common knee injuries in sports. ACL injuries are typically the result of three things:
If you’ve ever had a torn ACL, you’ll quickly recognize the symptoms. First, you might feel a “snapping” deep within your knee, as well as a great amount of pain.
Other structures in your knee (meniscus or medial ligament) can also be torn or injured in addition to your ACL.
ACL injuries are often repaired with surgery. After surgery, knee braces are used in order to relieve discomfort and provide support. The best knee braces for ACL injuries have compression to support the knee without interfering with mobility, which also increases blood flow and reduces pain.
Consult a doctor before seeking treatment for your injuries.
Recovery for ACL injuries varies depending on the severity of the injury or tear. It can take anywhere from two to six months. If you are an athlete and are returning to practice or training, it could even take up to 9 months or more to get back to your pre-injury condition.
Most, if not all people recovering from ACL injuries wear a knee brace, especially if they are in a high-intensity sport.
Just like ice cream flavors, there are so many different types of knee braces to choose from.
Pro Tip: Getting a brace that is specific to protecting your ACL reduces your risk of tearing.
We have a full collection of knee braces for ACL injuries that are durable, lightweight, and specifically designed to keep you in the game.
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Ever wonder why your coworkers and office mates' are always complaining about their backs? That’s because they are always seated!
Many people spend the majority of their workdays staying seated at their desks, where they remain motionless in a fixed, tense posture in front of their computers, which causes pain and discomfort after a period of time.
Sitting properly and ergonomic office furniture and equipment can help people with bad backs prevent back pain at the office.
In order to prevent back pain at work, the workplace must not only be furnished and equipped ergonomically, but you should also be sitting in the proper way at your desk. We’ve got some tips for sitting ergonomically at work so you can leave the office pain-free and ready to go.
Dynamic sitting means changing your sitting position as often as possible, which can help reduce back pain and discomfort throughout your day.
Changing sitting positions constantly is a form of natural exercise for the back muscles. Regular movement also promotes the circulation to the muscles and increases the supply of nutrients to the intervertebral discs. That being said, you should use the time during breaks to relax your back.
For dynamic sitting, you should ideally alternate between three sitting positions: leaning forward, then upright and then finally leaning back again.
Use an activity tracker. Invest in a FitBit or something to motivate yourself and monitor your activity during the day. Checking it regularly will prevent you from staying seated all day because you can typically set the wristband to remind you to move around at regular intervals.
Check out our collection of posture braces and supports to relieve back pain and improve your posture.
]]>The right knee brace for you depends on the level of support you need (recommended by your doctor). The type of knee brace you need depends on whether or not you are recovering from a recent surgery, the type of injury (and risk) you have, and how much movement your knee should be getting during the healing process.
There are 5 different types of knee braces:
In addition to knee sleeves, let’s take a look at the the different styles of knee braces to choose from. This may also be recommended by your doctor.
Make sure to check the size charts and measure your knee in the appropriate spots in order to get a knee brace that fits you. Most styles of knee braces have compression, which offers a feeling of tightness, but they should feel comfortable and supportive. If your brace is uncomfortably tight, loosen the straps or choose a larger size.
The right knee brace for you will depend on the level of support you need and what your doctor recommends. This decision is based on whether or not you are recovering from a recent knee surgery, the type of injury or pain you have, and how much movement your knee should be getting.
]]>Ankle braces are protective devices that offer support and are made of either stretchy or stiff fabric. Some ankle braces are pulled on (which offer the least protection) while others lace up or feature Velcro straps, and either metal or plastic supports.
There are a variety of different ankle braces based on the type of injury you have and the level of support you need. Compression ankle braces not only offer support and protection, but they also help reduce pain, minimize swelling, and more.
You see, there are so many benefits to wearing compression ankle braces for athletes, which are especially great for quick healing and added protection if you want to get back out there! Just make sure you have one that is comfortable, durable, and the perfect fit.
Pro Tip: It is advised that you only wear ankle braces for injury rehabilitation (up to 6 weeks), rather than to strictly prevent injuries. If you wear an ankle brace every day to prevent injury, you can weaken your ankle, as your ankle can only improve its strength by allowing it to make small movements from time to time. See what your doctor or physical therapist recommends.
]]>Back braces offer support in the lower back and can either greatly improve or completely eliminate back pain. There are braces for different parts of the back including the mid-spine and lower lumbar spine, and the tailbone or sacrum. There are also many different styles and designs of back braces, as they vary in materials such as elastic, soft plastic, hard plastic metal, Velcro and laces.
Because back braces support key areas and core muscles of the back and spine, your body is able to relax and begin healing from the stress or strain that caused the discomfort in the first place. No matter if you are suffering from poor posture, a back injury, or you are just getting older, back braces are effective at providing some kind of relief so you can make it through your day.
Professionally fit back braces offer a safe, non-invasive way to treat a current back injury or to prevent a chronic condition from getting worse. Let’s take a look at all the benefits of wearing a back brace so you can be comfortable.
Doctors may also recommend wearing a back brace as a non-invasive treatment as opposed to having surgery. Those who do wear back braces typically only need to do so for two days up to two weeks so they don’t become too reliant on it. This is crucial in allowing your back to heal properly.
No matter what you may need a back brace for, make sure you get one that’s comfortable, feels supportive, fits properly, and offers some pain relief.
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