15 Oct Shoulder Braces for Seniors: Maintaining Mobility and Reducing Pain
When we get older, our shoulders tend to become more prone to pain, stiffness, and injury. Universal, daily tasks like lifting a grocery bag, reaching for a shelf, or simply sleeping pain-free can become difficult. Shoulder braces are a fantastic mobility aid for seniors. They help to decrease pain and keep your shoulders healthy. We specialize in assisting seniors to restore their strength and confidence through custom therapy sessions and assistive devices at Etobicoke SportMed& Physiotherapy.
Why Seniors Experience Shoulder Pain
There are several causes of shoulder pain in older people, for example:
- Arthritis: In the advanced stage of shoulder joint cartilage degeneration, there may be a painful inflammatory process.
- Rotator cuff injuries: Tears or strains to the rotator cuff muscles are familiar with age and overuse.
- Posture: Sitting with poor posture for a long time can cause pain in the shoulders.
- Past injuries: You don’t need to have had a traumatic or serious injury for you to develop a chronic shoulder problem later in life.
How Shoulder Braces Help
Shoulder braces are meant to stabilize, support and ease pain. Here’s how they benefit seniors:
- Pain Relief: Braces stabilize the shoulder, which reduces unsafe movements that can lead to pain.
- Enhance Mobility: Older adults can walk better and more freely with supportive braces in place to protect the joint.
- Posture Assistance: Several of these shoulder braces provide a mild corrective assistance to posture, taking the strain away from muscles and ligaments.
- Rehabilitation Stabilization: Braces may be employed during physio-therapeutic exercises to aid proper alignment and help protect against re-injury.
Choosing the Right Shoulder Brace
Shoulder braces are not all made equal. Seniors should consider:
- Comfort and Fit: Soft, customizable harness reduces pressure points and won’t irritate skin.
- Level of support: A trim level of support throughout the day versus a strong level of support for injury recovery.
- Independently Applicable: The braces should be comfortable to wear and remove.
- Quality Material: Breathable and light materials for long-term use.
Integrating Shoulder Braces into Daily Life
Braces can be very effective; however, they are most effective when used along with:
- Gentle exercises: Set specific range-of-motion and strengthening exercises advised by a physiotherapist.
- Correct posture habits: Habitual monitoring and correcting of sitting and standing posture.
- Treatments for pain: Hot or cold packs, stretching, rest as necessary.
When to Seek Professional Help
Shoulder pain that is unrelieved by bracing may signal a more serious problem and so needs professional attention. At Etobicoke SportMed& Physiotherapy, we offer complete evaluations, personalized physiotherapy treatment plans and can recommend the best shoulder brace for your condition.
Conclusion
Shoulder braces for older people are not just supportive devices—they can also help shorten the recovery period and keep you independent! When used in conjunction with physiotherapy, exercises and healthy lifestyles, they can be an effective preventative measure to help ageing people remain mobile and active.
Ready to regain shoulder strength and mobility? Do not hesitate and book an appointment with Etobicoke SportMed& Physiotherapy to help you choose the right shoulder brace for you.