The Best Shoulder Brace

There are several things to consider when deciding what kind of shoulder brace is right for you. The first and most important thing to think about is what exactly you need your brace to do. There is a significant difference between braces designed to provide support for specific sports and those designed to prevent or treat various shoulder conditions. It is also important to understand that simply because a particular brace costs more than another does not mean it is the right one for you.

Different shoulder conditions require different kinds of support. There are many different types of shoulder problems, but the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS) identifies four conditions as the most common: tendon inflammation (rotator cuff tendinitis or bursitis) or tears, muscle pulls and strains, arthritis of the shoulder and shoulder breaks or fractures. Far less common problems include infection, nerve-related problems and tumors, none of which would significantly benefit from any type of shoulder brace.
Tendons are cords that connect muscles and bones and allow you to move your body. Tendinitis is caused by either sudden trauma, which is called acute tendinitis, or by the effects of aging, called chronic tendinitis. The most common symptoms of rotator cuff tendinitis are pain and swelling at the site, pain caused by the raising or lowering of the arm, shoulder stiffness and pain when reaching behind your back.

Because acute rotator cuff tendinitis is temporary, usually brought on by a sudden motion such as throwing a baseball or starting a lawnmower, limiting shoulder movement while the tendons around the rotator cuff heal is important. It is also advisable to treat the shoulder with ice packs.
Chronic rotator cuff tendinitis is a degenerative disease, which means it happens slowly of time, similar to "wear and tear" on a car or truck, so unfortunately, it cannot be cured or reversed. On the bright side, though, shoulder braces can help reduce the pain associated with chronic rotator cuff tendinitis and may even help to slow the process down.
Bursitis is caused by excessive shoulder use that inflames the bursa in the shoulder. Bursae are small, fluid-filled sacks throughout the body that serve as cushions between soft tissues and bones and reduce friction between muscles and bones. When the bursa in the shoulder becomes inflamed, friction between muscles and bones increases, causing pain, which is the most common symptom of bursitis in the shoulder. In more serious cases, bursitis can be accompanied by a severe loss of motion in the shoulder, commonly referred to as frozen shoulder.
The pressure version of The Yosoo Shoulder Brace features a built in pouch to house hot and cold packs, which makes it an attractive option. This pouch is 5.5” x 7.5”, so a hot or cold pack with these dimensions is optimal. The Yosoo costs less than $25.

The cheapest option available, however, is the GOGO neoprene shoulder protector. The GOGO protects the shoulder from humidity and cold and provides heat retention and compression, which keeps joints and muscles flexible and promotes healing. The GOGO is a great choice for minor to moderate sprains and injuries and costs less than $10. A minor drawback of neoprene products is the material's distinct smell. Although this odor is a bit unpleasant, it will go away over time.

Another affordable option is Koonpon's Enhanced Shoulder Support Neoprene Compression Brace. This brace is slightly more expensive than the GOGO, but it costs less than $15 and features an adjustable strap that the GOGO does not. The manufacturer recommends the brace for the treatment of rotator cuff injuries, the prevention of AC joint dislocation and relief from pain caused by arthritis of the shoulder.

Of all the most affordable braces, the Voelux Shoulder Compression Sleeve stands out. The product received very positive reviews compared to the rest of the braces whose cost is $20 or less. The Voelux treats a broad range of injuries including tendinitis, rotator cuff injuries, post-surgery support and various sports injuries.

Another popular and affordable choice is the Vive shoulder brace. It's priced at only $20, making it one of the cheapest options available. As well as tendinitis and bursitis, the Vive shoulder brace is recommended for disclocated acromioclavicular(AC) joints, labral tears, frozen shoulders and soreness. The compression offered by the Vive shoulder brace also helps to reduce the risk of re-injury and support faster healing.
Although a bit more expensive, ranging from about $38 to $120, the Shock Doctor 842 Shoulder Support easily adjusts for either the right or left shoulder and will stabilize the rotator cuff more securely than the Yasoo. Unlike the Yasoo, the Shock Doctor 842 does not offer a pouch for hot and cold packs, but it may be the better choice for more severe injuries where immobilization is the primary objective.

Although pulls and strains generally do not require any specific treatment to heal, they can be quite painful. The McDavid 463 Shoulder Support provides compression to the AC joint and is specifically designed to relieve the pain caused by pulls and strains. Its cost ranges from $21 to $43.
Kyphosis, sometimes called roundback or hunchback, is an abnormal curvature of the spine that is usually caused by arthritis or other degenerative diseases. In a randomized study, braces were shown to be beneficial in the treatment of kyphosis. The Camp Ben Posture Corrector is a good choice to treat kyphosis. This brace features an easy on, easy off figure 8 design and comes in either medium (28-37" chest size) or large (38-46" chest size). It's relatively inexpensive at just under $25. Another option for the treatment of kyphosis is the ComfyMed Posture Corrector Clavicle Support Brace CM-PB16. The brace is specifically designed to treat poor posture, shoulder misalignment, thoracic kyphosis and upper back pain. At $30, the ComfyMed is a bit more costly than the Camp Ben Posture Corrector but received slightly more positive customer reviews.
There are also good options for braces designed to prevent injuries from sports or other strenuous activities. As its name implies, the EVS Sports SB03 is specifically designed to reinforce the vulnerable areas of the shoulders and protect them from injury. Additionally, the EVS brace features an adjustable arm closure, eliminating underarm chaffing. The EVS Sports SB03 has positive reviews and typically costs around $45. If seeking a cheaper injury-preventive brace, a good alternative is Kuangmi's Double Shoulder Support Brace, which provides reinforcement comparable to the EVS but only costs around $30. Whichever brace you decide to buy, it is important to remember that a sports brace only offers added protection; it is not a substitute for proper warm-up and stretching before engaging in strenuous activity.

There are many options for shoulder braces. The most important thing is ensuring that you are buying a brace specifically designed for your exact needs. As you can see, some braces are rather expensive, so finding a balance between cost and quality can help you avoid unnecessary expense.

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This page about Shoulder Brace was composed by V. Tobies and published by Alternative.me.
It was last updated on 2024-12-22 08:17:38 and has been viewed 5158 times.