Managing Balance Problems And Other Injuries With Bracing

Chiropractic, Pain Management, Physical Therapy

Amongst the many services that a wellness and chiropractic center can offer you as a patient, one method of healing and care that we recommend when patients have balance problems, back pain, ankle instability and more, is bracing.

Bracing can help the body heal by offering stability, comfort, protection and compression. This is a good way to help you as you’re healing to reduce pain and keep you going until the body is ready to say “buh-bye” to the brace.

So, if you’re dealing with ankle instability, lumbar instability, whiplash and other conditions, consider how bracing can support you as you attempt to heal and regain your normal activity.

Richie Brace, Back Brace & More: Different Types Of Braces

Here are some of the common reasons people need to wear a brace, like a Richie Brace or Neck Brace:

Richie Brace: this brace is used when patients have chronic ankle pain or other foot issues, and we’ll dive into this more in a bit.
Back Braces: these are used to support issues with your back and sometimes, back and abdominal muscles.
Cervical Braces: these are often used after traumatic injuries or for example, cases of whiplash.
Knee Braces: these are often used for injuries, post-surgery or with conditions like osteoarthritis.
Wrist Braces: these are meant to be worn for an extended period of time typically, in the case of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome or arthritis or tendonitis.

So, for issues like chronic ankle pain, arthritis, whiplash, herniated discs and other issues, bracing is commonly used and is effective.

Here are some more details on bracing:

All About the Richie Brace:

This is used to help people with ankle and foot issues, from ankle instability to gait abnormality issues. It’s an extremely versatile brace and can be used in the case of injuries or serious degenerative issues.

Patients dealing with Degenerative Arthritis, Charcot Foot Deformity, Progressive Flat Foot, Gait Abnormalities, Ankle Instability and other issues, should consider using this type of brace.

All About Back Braces:

Do you drive long distances? Consider a lower back brace.

Are you dealing with a herniated lumbar disc? A back brace can be your BFF.

Whether the situation is Degenerative Disc Disease or chronic back pain, a brace can help overactive or weak muscles as you work on getting stronger again. Back braces can be worn to help acute conditions, or can also serve as a crutch for people with existing injuries to use while doing things like shoveling or heavy lifting.

All About Cervical Braces:

Car accidents. Traumatic injuries. Sprains. Cervical Disc Herniation. A cervical brace can give your neck time to heal up as it becomes stronger again. Ask your doctor about directions as to when and where you should wear this type of brace. It is highly advised to not wear one while asleep or at the wheel!

All About Wrist Braces:

Everyday activities like writing, driving or enjoying sports can take a toll on your wrists. From Arthritis to Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, a wrist brace can be really helpful and often worn throughout the day and night!

And finally,

All About Knee Braces:

Dealing with knees can be a problem as they are prone to injuries. There are many different types of knee braces, from pressure relieving braces to support braces, and are usually paired with physical therapy. They help people when recovering from surgery or dealing with Osteoarthritis and beyond because more often than not, knee injuries make even standing difficult. These braces are then, extremely beneficial in the healing process.

If you are dealing with pain and need to heal an injury or manage a chronic condition, see your local wellness practice to discover what bracing can do for you.

2. Understand Therapy May Be A Little Slow Or Painful At The Beginning.

Healing is a process. Your physical therapist knows what he or she is doing and has your best interest in mind. Even if a specific exercise does not seem directly related to the part of the body that’s healing, there’s a flow to every movement that will tie back into the injured area.

3. Fully Commit.

One of the core components to a successful physical therapy program is commitment. There will be days that you don’t feel like doing what is in your program. There will be exercises that are simply hard to do. It’s these moments that being fully engaged and committed make all the difference.

4. Have Open Communication With Your Therapist.

This one is key. How is the program going so far? Does a certain exercise hurt or not feel right? It’s important that your physical therapist knows these as you go along with your program. Whether something hurts or you’re not feeling good with the treatment, talk it out with your PT. Remember, they are there to help you.

5. Clearly State Your Goals.

Be clear about what you want to get out of your program. Why? This is the only way your physical therapist can get you back to normal.

Do you want to get back to running five miles a day? Do you simply want a better golf swing? No matter how small or big your goals may seem, be open about them.

Every person is different. Don’t hold back on what you really want to improve on based on the other people you see around you. You’re there to get back to your strongest and best self.

Next Steps

If you’d like to know more about our physical therapy program, we’d love to talk! You can schedule a consultation here or call us at (732) 431-2155. We look forward to talking with you.