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If you are a weekend athlete, or do athletic activities after school or work, you know the thrill of hitting the field, court, or trail. However, you also know the aches and pains that often follow. Staying active and doing more in life is essential to a long healthy life, but it can come with its own set of challenges. Whether you are dealing with a persistent dull ache, or want to address or prevent injuries, bracing can be a game-changer. Here is how the right brace can help you stay in the game and make the most of your weekend activities.

How Does Bracing Work?

No matter if you are playing soccer, basketball, running, or hiking, the sudden burst of activity can stress your body, especially if you spend most of your time in a sedentary position, such as an office desk job, or working from home. This abrupt transition to high intensity activity can often lead to conditions like sprains, strains, and overuse injuries. Bracing can provide support and stability to your joints and muscles, reducing the risk of injury and helping you to manage existing conditions. So how does bracing work? Bracing works because of the combination of rigid and soft materials working together. The soft material can provide some mild compression, reducing inflammation and fluid accumulation.  They offset pressure and support mobility, while the rigid materials control movement of the joints and provide protection. Bracing helps to maintain the proper joint alignment, promoting stability of the joint and controlled movement. Braces can be used to improve range of motion, prevent instability, avoid hyperextension, and enhance mobility in degenerative diseases like arthritis.

Tips for Choosing and Using a Brace

  1. Identify your needs: determine what area of your body would benefit from the use of support and what type of activities you will be doing. This will help you chose the right type of brace. For example, if you are finding your knee swells after a long run, a sleeve brace may be beneficial to help reduce swelling.
  2. Proper fit: ensure the brace fits well. It should be snug but not too tight where it is uncomfortable. A poorly fitting brace can do more harm than good.
  3. Consistency: wearing the brace during each activity will provide the maximum benefit. Put the brace on before you play and wear it until you finish, even if you are not feeling achy when you start. The idea is to keep you from getting injured.
  4. Combine with other strategies: bracing is only one component in the prevention and management of injury. Stretching and strengthening exercises along with proper footwear are all apart of the prevention and management of injury strategy and should be incorporated into your daily routine. Warm-up and cool downs are helping to prepare your muscles and joints for exercise and aids in recovery afterwards. Listening to your body and not pushing through pain. If you are experiencing pain and discomfort, take a break and assess the situation. It is better to rest and recover than risk a more severe injury. Staying hydrated is crucial for maintaining joint and muscle health. Make sure you are drinking enough water before, during and after the activity.

While over-the-counter braces can be helpful, sometimes you need a professional to guide you to ensure you are using the correct brace for your specific needs. This is where BioPed Clinicians can be invaluable. They can assess your condition, consider your activity level, and recommend the best bracing option for you. They will be able to address the underlying biomechanical issues contributing to your discomfort.

At BioPed, we are dedicated to helping you do more in life. Whether you need a brace, footwear, custom orthotics, compression socks or expert advise, we are here to support you. Our goal is to help you stay active and enjoy your activities to the fullest, without being sidelined by injuries. Remember, the right brace can make a significant difference in your performance and comfort. Don’t let pain or fear of injury hold you back, embrace the weekend warrior in you, and let us help you stay in the game!