Finding the right compression brace for your shoulder can increase the success of your recovery.
How to find the right compression sleeve or brace for your shoulder
How do I know if I need a compression sleeve or shoulder brace?
Shoulder pain comes in many forms. If the pain is caused by an injury that doesn’t require surgery, then a shoulder brace or compression sleeve could be the solution to your suffering.
Pain Doctor lists the most common shoulder injuries as frozen shoulder, joint and tendon inflammation, and rotator cuff tears. For these widespread injuries, there are many shoulder brace options.
The shoulder is crucial to everyday life, but because of its wide range of motion, it is easy for it to lose stability and become injured.
Follow along for details on the most common causes of shoulder pain, and be sure to stick around for our list of thebest shoulder braces and compression sleeves
Common Causes of Shoulder Pain
Strain from daily activities
Although frequent exercise has many great health benefits, it can also cause shoulder pain that keeps you from performing your best.
If you do repetitive, weighted tasks, you may be at an increased risk for shoulder related injuries. Homemakers, tradespeople, and athletes place extra wear on their joints and are likely to experience pain in their shoulders.
If you are recovering from a shoulder injury
Shoulder injuries can be sneaky. Even if the pain has subsided to a tolerable level, your joints could still be weak. This can be the most risky time for reinjury. Feeling stronger, you might try more strenuous tasks that result in increased pain and lengthened recovery time.
Wearing a shoulder compression sleeve or brace throughout the treatment period can lead to a faster and more thorough recovery.
If you are resuming physical activity after a period of shoulder pain
Sports put a lot of strain on a recovering shoulder. Braces reduce the risk of re-injury.
With the right shoulder brace or compression sleeve, you can mitigate pain while ramping up physical activity. By increasing blood flow and reducing inflammation, braces and sleeves help to alleviate pain that makes movement difficult.
They also help to stabilize the shoulder during movement, reducing the risk of re-injury and increasing comfort while playing sports.
Common Signs of Shoulder Problems
When an injury does occur, pain can appear in different ways. An ache can start in your shoulder and spread to your upper arm and elbow. Your arm may feel weak. You could experience a pinching sensation during some points of motion.
At best, it may cause an inconvenience. At worst, shoulder pain is lifestyle altering and prevents you from performing necessary tasks and enjoying your favorite activities.
Don’t let pain slow you down! Shoulder braces are often designed with mobility in mind to keep you active and pain-free.
As with any treatment plan, always consult your doctor for a better understanding of how to best recover.
Why Use a Shoulder Brace or Compression Sleeve?
Shoulder braces and compression sleeves can be a pain alleviating-and necessary-part of your treatment plan.
Shoulder doc supports the use of shoulder braces and compression for both everyday use and athletic performance. They cite benefits ranging from helping stimulate neural pathways to protecting tendons just below the skin from impact.
Pain relief
Tendon inflammation is one of the leading causes of pain from shoulder injuries, especially from common rotator cuff tears.
Shoulder injuries can aggravate nerves all the way down to your elbow and wrist. Pain management is essential to making the healing process bearable.
Braces and sleeves apply compression to irritated areas which reduces inflammation and pain. Shoulder recovery times can be lengthy, lasting up to a few months depending on the injury, so it helps to make your body more comfortable during the process.
Limits the severity of injuries
Injuries that are supported can begin the recovery process properly. Injuries that aren’t will continue to be aggravated while the pain spreads and more ligaments and muscles are affected.
With the proper sleeve or brace, you can get on track to doing your favorite activities again, pain-free.
Reduces risk of re-injury
Shoulder injuries can cause demoralizing halts in progress. Don’t make yourself go through the recovery process twice.
When worn throughout the recovery process, sleeves and braces reduce the chances of you having to start over. No one wants to go two months with pain slowly getting better only to experience the injury again as if it were new.
Braces and sleeves provide support to weakened areas so your shoulder can heal fully the first time.
Provides shoulder support
In order to heal properly, your shoulder needs to be in the correct position, often working against gravity. Braces and sleeves work to keep your shoulder from poor posture that lengthens treatment time and creates more pain.
Speeds up recovery
Not only do braces and sleeves help prevent you from re-injuring your shoulder, they also speed up the initial treatment process. Compression increases blood flow that brings vital aid to the affected area, which means less time until you are back to living your life.
Shoulder injuries make overhead motions painful, but braces can reduce that pain and get you back to doing what you love.
Does it matter which shoulder compression sleeve or brace I use?
Yes. By understanding your own needs, you can choose the product that will provide the most support.
Sleeve and brace options vary greatly, so it is important to get the product that suits your situation. Keep in mind your needs for mobility, protection, and comfort.
Here are thebest shoulder braces and compression sleeves on the market:
Top Shoulder Braces & Sleeves 2022
The DonJoy Sully Shoulder Brace is built with athletic performance in mind. Mobility is safely guided without irritating restriction, and the perforated neoprene material wicks away sweat and heat.
With two multidirectional straps, the DonJoy Sully Shoulder Brace helps to heal rotator cuff injuries, posterior and inferior instabilities, and muscle strains.
It has a universal fit, so it can support either your right or left shoulder.
This brace is ideal for those with an active style. It is comfortable, breathable, and the neoprene grips move with your body while providing support.
Many braces use only chest measurements when determining your size, but the DonSully Shoulder Brace uses both chest and bicep measurements for a more comfortable and supportive fit. This brace is currently available in five different sizes for the price of $148.99, which includes free one-week shipping.
The Adjustable Shoulder Helix offers both flexibility and support and uses form-fit technology to ensure comfort.
For athletes that prefer heat as a pain reliever, the Adjustable Shoulder Helix offers fabric that warms and soothes aggravated areas during activity.
Designed for sports reliant on overhead motion such as golf and basketball, this brace stretches to allow movement then compress to provide support. The uniform compression across the shoulder, arm, and chest make this brace well-suited for rotator cuff support.
The Adjustable Shoulder Helix comes in five sizes based on your bicep circumference. Braces are available to order for $99.99 with free shipping on orders of two or more. These braces are fitted to either your left or right arm, so make sure you choose the correct one!
3. Copper Compression Recovery Shoulder BraceThe Copper Compression Recovery Shoulder Brace has a pouch where you can insert heating and cooling packs (sold separately), satisfying customers that prioritize pain management.
One of the highest rated shoulder braces on Amazon, the Copper Compression Recovery Shoulder Brace also presents a budget-friendly solution, selling for $26.89 with free shipping.
This brace can help in the recovery of frozen shoulder, torn rotator cuff, dislocated shoulder, AC separation, and other shoulder injuries.
Made from copper infused nylon and spandex, this brace improves blood circulation and provides controlled compression. This brace is designed with an active lifestyle in mind, and reviewers are satisfied with its support and mobility.
The Copper Compression Recovery Shoulder Brace comes in six sizes, and sizing is determined by arm length, chest size, and bicep circumference.
Best Shoulder Compression Sleeves - In Conclusion
Shoulder braces can help in the recovery of many shoulder injuries by applying compression that gives joint support and improves blood circulation.
Braces can be effective at both providing support and allowing enough mobility for an active lifestyle. Many braces are designed with athletes in mind and have breathability and temperature-control features.
There are many brace options out there, and different injuries require specific products. When researching solutions, keep in mind your injured areas, your pain level, your lifestyle, and your budget.
Always consult your doctor to know which types of braces can be helpful for your situation.
At Ortho Bracing, we have a variety Cold Therapy Machines and other recovery products including:
Breg Polar Care Wave Cold Therapy System
Breg Polar Care Wave Knee Cold Therapy System
Breg Polar Care Cube Replacement Pads
Breg Polar Care Wave Knee, Hip & Shoulder Pads
DonJoy Tru Pull Lite Knee Brace
DonJoy Ultrasling Pro Shoulder Immobilizer
For more resources related to injury recovery and prevention, read on:
Best Cold Therapy Units for Faster Recovery
Cryotherapy At-Home: Benefits & How to Do It
Cold Therapy for Arthritis: Benefits & What to Know
