You know all those long hours you spend hunched over your desk when you’re at work? That can really put a strain on your back and shoulders. By the time you realize that you’re slouching it’s already too late because your back is already sore and you can barely move. For this reason, it’s important to pay attention to the way you sit. Or you should at least get up and stretch those muscles frequently to keep the blood flow going.
Fortunately, nowadays there’s a whole range of ergonomic products to help support your neck and back. This makes paying attention to your posture and how you sit a whole lot easier. One of the most popular choices, and our personal favourites, is a comfortable shoulder brace Australia specialists recommend. What makes a shoulder brace good? Well, lots of things. You’ll get all the information you need on ergonomic shoulder braces in just a sec.
What Is a Shoulder Brace?
Basically, it’s an adjustable sling that wraps around your shoulders and upper back to provide adequate support. Most people assume that you only need to wear this type of ergonomic brace when you’re dealing with a shoulder injury but that’s not always the case. Sure, a shoulder brace does help with the healing process by ensuring that everything stays in the right place. This is why they’re appropriate for use after dislocations, rotator cuff tears and various types of muscle sprains. After all, the proper way to deal with these conditions is to immobilise and compress the area.
But what most people don’t realise is that a shoulder brace can be used to provide support even when you’re not faced with an injury. This is a great way of preventing such conditions in the future because your neck and shoulders won’t have to do all the work constantly. You know how many times you’ve noticed your bad posture while sitting in front of the TV or computer? Exactly, very rarely. You may not notice that at first but your muscles are out there doing the most to keep your body upright while you’re not even paying attention to that. By wearing a shoulder brace, you’re giving your back muscles some extra love and care to keep them happy and healthy in the future.
What Is a Shoulder Brace Good For?
In short, anyone can benefit from wearing a shoulder brace. Whether you’re suffering from a muscle sprain, bone injury or you just want some extra support for your upper back, wearing an ergonomic brace will definitely benefit you in many ways. Once you get the hang of how it works and how you’re supposed to use it, you should be seeing some positive results pretty quickly, regardless of how old you are.
How Long Should You Wear a Shoulder Brace For?
Well, it depends on what you need it for. If you’re healing from an injury, your doctor should give you specific instructions on how long you should wear it each day. Based on the severity of the situation as well as the estimated recovery time, your medical practitioner should be able to create a recuperation plan that’s most appropriate for your needs.
On the other hand, if you decide to wear a shoulder brace for additional support, you should start by wearing it 15-30 minutes per day. If you begin to feel any pain or discomfort after a while, take it off and wear it again the next day. Your body needs time to adjust to it so make sure you don’t jump into it too quickly. In other words, start small and then gradually increase the wearing time each day until you reach your preference. And remember, the straps are adjustable so it’s important that the brace isn’t too tight or too loose on your body. Instead, it should be a snug fit.
Common Shoulder Brace Materials
There are a handful of shoulder brace materials that you’ll come across when searching for the ideal one for you. Each one has its own benefits and advantages so let’s dive into what they have to offer.
Neoprene
This type of shoulder brace is quite flexible and lightweight. For this reason, it’s a popular choice among shoppers who want to retain their ease of movement and range of motion. In addition, neoprene is a breathable material which means the air will flow freely in and out of the brace so you won’t feel any discomfort or restraint.
Polyester
Polyester is a more durable and sturdy material. This means that it’s great for offering support for more serious shoulder injuries as it can withstand all external factors. Moreover, it’s great at wicking away moisture and sweat which means your shoulder won’t feel damp after an extended period of time.
Nylon
A nylon shoulder brace offers maximum support while minimising any unnecessary weight and bulk. Its elasticity and versatility allow it to contour your body’s features and adapt to your needs. You probably won’t even notice you’re wearing it after a while.
Nylon Mesh
This is probably the lightest shoulder brace material out there. As you may already know, mesh is extremely breathable and airy which means there’s very little chance of you sweating profusely or overheating. This doesn’t mean that nylon mesh braces are any less good, they’re just thinner and easier to navigate.
At the end of the day, whichever type of shoulder brace you choose is up to you. Nowadays, the best thing about shopping is that everything is just a click away and you can ship your shoulder brace Australia wide. So what are you waiting for?
