If you’re dealing with the pain of tennis elbow or golfer’s elbow, you might be wondering if a brace could help. It’s a common question, but the answer isn’t straightforward. Let's dive into the latest research to help you make an informed decision.
I’m Dr. Sean Hiller, owner of Vulcan Performance Rehab and Recovery. As a Doctor of Physical Therapy and a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, I’m here to guide you through the pros and cons of using a brace for these conditions.
In addition to reading this article, make sure watch a video recap of this topic below.
First things first, let's identify your condition.
Remember, you don’t have to play tennis or golf to suffer from these issues. They are simply layman’s terms for lateral and medial epicondylitis, which refer to inflammation of the tendons attached to the lateral and medial epicondyles of your elbow.
A brace aims to provide support and reduce pain by applying pressure to the affected area. This pressure can alter the way your muscles contract and change the kinematics of your elbow, potentially providing pain relief.
There are different types of braces, including:
The good news is that research shows no single type of brace is significantly better than another. Applying pressure to an area can have an analgesic (pain-relieving) effect due to what we call the "tension principle."
In the short term, wearing a brace can help reduce your pain and allow you to continue daily activities, including sleep, which is crucial for healing. Quality sleep is vital since it's when your body secretes significant amounts of growth hormones necessary for recovery.
While braces can be helpful initially, long-term use can lead to dependency. Your body might start relying on the brace for support, reducing its natural ability to stabilize and manage the condition independently. This can worsen your symptoms once you stop using the brace.
Use a brace for short-term relief and combine it with corrective exercises and physical therapy to address the root cause of your pain. This dual approach helps reduce pain and prevents long-term dependency on the brace.
At Vulcan Performance, we have specific rehab videos for both tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow. These exercises can be done alongside brace usage to facilitate recovery.
Braces can be beneficial in the short term but should not be a long-term solution. If you need immediate pain relief, a brace can help. However, focus on rehabilitation exercises to strengthen and stabilize your muscles, allowing you to move past the need for a brace.
For more information and helpful videos on managing tennis and golfer’s elbow, check out the links provided. Remember, our goal is to help you move better and live pain-free.
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If you are in the Birmingham, Alabama area and would like help navigating elbow pain, click here to schedule a free injury screen or schedule an appointment here. Stay healthy and active!