Braces come in all shapes, sizes, and forms including trochanteric belts, corsets, molded jackets, sacroiliac belts, and more. A brace is meant to hold a specific part of your body relatively in place to alleviate pain and assist with healing. For those that suffer from chronic pain, braces can be incredibly beneficial. If you are interested in obtaining a brace, one of our providers at Pain Specialty Group would be happy to help find a brace that would be best for you.
Neck Braces
Neck braces come in different forms including soft collar braces, Philadelphia collar braces, and sterno-occipital mandibular immobilization devices (SOMI). Although there are many different types of neck braces, these are some of the most common. Each brace has a specific use, so it’s important to discuss your choice with a pain provider first.
Knee Braces
Knee braces can be more complex than neck braces as they tend to be categorized by several qualities such as support level, condition the brace is designed to treat, style, and manufacturer. Although knee braces are most commonly used to alleviate knee pain resulting from arthritis or injuries, they are also commonly worn after knee reconstruction surgery to prevent further injuries and speed up healing processes.
Back Braces
There are three main purposes of back braces. First, back braces are used to help limit movement of your spine. Second, back braces stabilize any injured areas to prevent further injuries. Third, back braces apply pressure to restrict movement and thus reduce back pain. There are a variety of back braces designed to be worn on different portions of your spine including cervical, thoracic, and lumbar braces.
Arm & Elbow Braces
Arm and elbow braces are most commonly used in sports like tennis and golf where elbow injuries can be common. These braces are worn to alleviate regional pain. It’s important to discuss with a provider whether a compression strap, post-operative bracing, sling, or forearm support is most appropriate for you.
Shoulder Braces
Shoulder braces are used to treat any kind of pain in the shoulder, as well as for some types of back pain. These braces provide support, compression, and protection for the shoulder. For some athletes, to reduce any risk of shoulder dislocation or to help relieve pain following a dislocation, shoulder braces are commonly worn.
Need a brace to relieve your chronic pain? Contact us today to set an appointment with us and let us guide you toward a brace that works best for you.
