![]() ![]() In addition, if you are an avid athlete - particularly one who puts considerable pressure on your joints like during CrossFit, powerlifting, or Olympic lifting - a compression sleeve may help you stay injury-free.ĬrossFit athletes, distance runners, and those who make weightlifting a regular part of their training often find knee pain relief through compression sleeves. If you have mild knee pain, such as tendonitis, runner's knee, or jumper's knee, a compression knee sleeve might be preferred over a medical-grade brace. Lastly, a knee support sleeve can act as a stabilizer, as it helps improve your balance and range of motion. In other words, it helps you develop proper exercise form. Enhancing your mind-body connection can help prevent faulty movement patterns. Research also shows compression sleeves help improve proprioception, more commonly called body awareness. This improves blood circulation, prevents swelling, and reduces post-exercise soreness. Essentially, the material "compresses" a joint or muscle, sending blood flood to the impacted area. How Does a Knee Sleeve Work?Ī knee sleeve, like other forms of compression gear, is made of stretchy fabric that slides over the joint. Always speak to your physical therapist about finding the best knee brace for your recovery process. For example, if you had LCL ( lateral collateral ligament ) surgery, knee sprain, or an ACL ( anterior cruciate ligament ) tear, your kneecap will need far more support than a knee compression sleeve can provide. If you experienced a traumatic knee injury or have osteoarthritis, a knee brace is recommended over a compression sleeve. There are many types of knee braces - in physical therapy, your practitioner will determine which one is best suited for your injury. You should work directly with your doctor to find a brace that's best for you. Over time, this will help to increase your range of motion or decrease your arthritis pain, depending on your core issues. The brace is meant to force you into slower movement patterns or encourage you to shift your weight off the most damaged portion of your knee. a hinged knee brace) or mechanical support. How Does a Knee Brace Work?Ī knee brace might have hinges (i.e. While both sleeves and braces can support your joint, there's one key difference you should know about.Ī knee brace helps repair a past injury - such as a medial collateral ligament (MCL) injury or meniscus tear - while a knee sleeve works to prevent future injuries from happening. ![]() Long answer: While they're similar in appearance (and easily confused), a knee sleeve is different than a knee brace. Is a Knee Sleeve the Same as a Knee Brace? To help you understand the respective benefits and how to use each one, let’s answer some common questions. Knee sleeves and knee braces both help with injuries but are often confused. Common Questions for Compression for Knee Pain I’ll dive into the science of how it works below. Best of all, wearing a compression sleeve takes zero time or effort - simply pull it over your knee, and the material provides added support. In addition, wearing a compression sleeve after exercise can speed up post-workout recovery. If you're prone to injury, I encourage you to wear a knee sleeve during exercise to give extra support to the knee joint. You can wear compression gear during physical activity (this has been linked to improved athletic performance ) or after a workout to help with recovery. Commonly made from nylon or spandex, the tightening effect helps improve blood flow to the covered area.Ĭompression gear can be small (such as compression socks or sleeves) or large (such as full-length compression pants or a long-sleeve compression shirt ). Joint compression gear is very tight clothing or gear meant to compress your muscles or joints. Before purchasing a knee sleeve or brace, please consult your physical therapist about the best options for you. Please note: This post is meant for informational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. Below, I'll explain the science of joint compression, different types of knee sleeves, and why knee support is essential to injury prevention. If you suffered knee injuries in the past, wearing a compression sleeve can help prevent injuries and provide joint pain relief. One recovery technique that doesn’t take time out of your day is joint compression for knee pain. Instead, you simply need to find techniques that work best for your schedule. Here's the good news: If you're short on time, you don't need to cut recovery out of your fitness routine (nor should you). But between foam rolling, stretching, mobility work, and a dip in an ice bath, an all-encompassing recovery process can easily take 30 minutes to an hour of your time. That's not to negate the importance of recovery, particularly if you're prone to injury. Sometimes, it can feel as though a workout recovery routine takes as much energy as your workouts themselves. ![]()
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