How To Choose The Right Sporting Support Braces For Recovery
The best way to protect a sports injury is through a high-quality sporting support brace. Sporting braces can reduce pain and improve healing by providing mechanical support to the injury. To get the most out of a sporting support brace, it must fit you correctly and comfortable.
Here at Biomed, we provide a range of sporting braces and supports including sporting ankle braces, sporting knee braces, wrist braces and elbow braces. We use nano technology by infusing medical fabrics with minerals, which include copper and silver. The silver nanoparticles in the fabric help kill bacteria, making clothing odour-resistant, and the nanopores also provide superior insulation. Our range of self-cooling fabrics have been proven to lower body temperatures between 1-2 degrees, which promotes an increase in overall body performance.
Through this article, we will guide you through ways in how to choose the right sporting support braces for recovery in regard to sporting ankle braces, sporting knee braces and back support braces.
Sporting Ankle Brace
- Comfort
When selecting a sporting ankle brace you want to ensure you are selecting the correct size and material. You want to consider how breathable you would like the brace to be. All sporting ankle braces are generally sized based on your shoe size or ankle circumference so be sure to consult the sizing chart in order to get the best fit and support. In regards to material, ankle braces are made of either neoprene or fabric. Neoprene is a flexible material that provides for a close fit to the body and offers both support and heat insulation to protect against ongoing pain. On the other hand, neoprene does not breathe well and may be too hot for all day use.
- Type of ankle brace
Sporting ankle braces come in many varieties including sleeves and braces with straps and lace up. Ankle sleeves provide support and relief from pain, swelling and inflammation. Ankle supports with straps provide advanced protection and increased compression. Lace up ankle braces provide maximum support and allow you to customise the tightness of the laces from top to bottom.
- Tightness
When choosing a sporting ankle brace you want you ankle to feel locked in, although the brace should not restrict blood flow in any way or cause any pain due to tightness. Lower levels of protection will feel more flexible, whereas maximum protection ankle braces will feel more rigid.
Sporting Knee Brace
- Level of protection
When choosing a sporting knee brace, be on the lookout for levels of protection ranging from 1 to 3+. Level 1 braces offer the least amount of protection and is the most flexible. This level is best used for pain relief and mild to moderate support when fully active. Level 2 braces are not as flexible but still offer a wide range of movement. Level 3 braces offer the most support but limited movement. This type of brace is also heavier and is best for when recovering from surgery. Level 3+ provides maximum protection and is best for aiding pain relief for moderate to major conditions.
- Type of knee brace
There are numerous types of sporting knee braces available on the market including knee sleeves, wraparound or dual-wrap braces, hinged knee braces, knee straps, and closed and open patella braces.
- Tightness
When using a sporting knee brace, you want to have compression and the feeling of tightness in your knee. It should feel comfortable as well as an added level of support based on your individual needs. If you feel as if the knee brace is uncomfortably tight, try to loosen the straps or opt for a larger brace.
Back Support Brace
- Level of support
Back support braces can be rigid, semi-rigid or flexible. Rigid back support braces provide stability for those who have conditions causing moderate to serve pain. Flexible back support braces are made of a softer material to limit excessive movement and provide compression to offer more freedom and flexibility. Semi-rigid back support braces combine the two and feature a flexible brace for the body with added rigid panels around the device.
- Size and fit
A majority of off-the-shelf back support braces come in a universal size with an adjustable belt or hook and eye locks to ensure a snug fit around the body. Although, there are custom back support braces that can be molded to an individual’s body.
- Durability and maintenance
Some back support braces are machine-washable and are easier to maintain. Braces that do have velcro may wear faster and stretchy types of back support braces may stretch out after regular use.
Choose a Sporting Support Brace that suits you from BioMed!
When you are choosing a sporting support brace, be sure to consider these tips to ensure you are choosing the correct support brace for you and your desired needs.
At Biomed, our mission as a professional fabric manufacturing company is to create and produce superior fabric manufacturing for high-quality sporting knee braces, sporting ankle braces and back support braces.
Our dedication to strict Australian medical fabric manufacturing standards demonstrates our products’ reliability and commitment to providing our customers superior products that offer a high level of comfort by minimising pain levels, providing support and stability and supplying support braces that are suitable for everyone.
At Biomed, we provide warehousing solutions and prototyping for our clients to ensure we meet your needs. To find out more information on our full range of sporting compression goods, support braces and other medical fabrics, please contact our team of Biomed medical fabrics and materials experts by calling (02) 9758 3855.