If you perform any type of physical training long enough than injuries are definitely going to happen from time to time. How you deal with the injury is what will determine how fast you can return to your best self. Many people continue to train through injuries with the use of braces, medical tape and other support devices. In the following newsletter, we will examine when and how long the use of these support devices may be appropriate. We have also attached here a unique and effective mobility training technique that you can used to prep your body for exercise.

Directly after an injury, support devices like braces and athletic taping may be a good choice for stabilizing a joint, like and ankle. The extra support should be used till the joint gets strong enough for the support to be removed; it should not be thought of as a long-term solution. Immobilizing a joint, like an ankle, for a long period of time can lead to serious injuries like high ankle sprains and knee ligament damage. The ankle joint is meant to be mobile. When locked down with braces and tape the joint is unable to properly do its job, so therefore, other parts of the body above the ankle suffer the consequences.

The knee relies on stability to function efficiently. With that information, it would seem like wearing a knee braces during exercise would be a good idea. However, just like wearing ankle braces long-term, wearing knee braces after an injury has healed could be counterproductive. Knee stability should be created by strengthening muscles, ligaments, and tendons. Using a knee brace for too long can actually weaken the knee and make you more vulnerable to knee injuries it the future.

When dealing with any serious joint issue, we feel like it’s important to get professional help from a physical therapist or a physician knowledgeable in sports medicine. These professionals are trained to help get ankles joints mobile and knees joints stabile. Proper rehabilitation is key to long term athletic success when it comes to sports injuries. Braces should only be used directly after injuries and removed as soon possible so that the joint can resume its normal function. Consulting a medical professional can be helpful in determining when it is appropriate to remove your joint support.

Resources:

1.https://www.stack.com/a/knee-ankle-brace

2.https://www.verywellhealth.com/do-i-need-a-knee-brace-2696279