Bracing
Custom Bracing
Bracing is a therapy option that gives much needed support to joints that have become uneven or unstable due to an injury, illness or chronic condition.
At pt Health, we know that your well being is affected when braces are uncomfortable or do not fit you properly. We give you educational information about the use of your brace and we make sure that the fit is customized to your body.
How Braces Help
Choosing the right kind of brace is very important. A well fitted brace can aid in proper joint alignment and support an injured area. Braces gently restrict the range of movement in unstable joints. For example, a sports related injury may require a specific type of sport brace which will offer the most stability over other types of braces.
Another example of the benefits of proper bracing can be seen by those who experience joint problems related to osteoarthritis. The pain is often made worse due to lack of physical activity, poor posture, weight gain and older age. Orthopaedic bracing can reduce pain by minimizing stress and pressure on affected joints. A well fitted brace can alleviate pain and improve stability. A pt Health physiotherapist helps you find and fit the correct brace that can benefit you the most.
People with joint problems – particularly in the knee – often experience pain, imbalance and discomfort while walking or performing daily activities. Bracing can significantly help improve joint stability.
Apart from the physical benefits, a well fitted brace can also have a positive effect on your
confidence, allowing you to move freely without anxiety. Wearing a brace can provide extra input to your sensory system which helps your body respond positively to the extra support.
Benefits of Bracing
Remove Joint Stability
Those who use a well fitted brace often feel a reduction of pain, discomfort and problems in the injured area.
Load Distribution
Bracing offers two important benefits: joint alignment and load distribution. Braces help to shift and share the weight load from the affected part of the joint to the unaffected part. This helps in removing pressure on the affected joint area.
Increased Movement
Through the process of joint alignment, abnormal movement and pain are reduced and normal function begins to be restored. In the case of a knee brace, this helps people to walk or go up and down the stairs with ease.
With high quality custom braces and proper measurement you will receive optimal results.
Coverage Options
pt Health services are covered by most health care plans. Typically, these plans pay 80-100% fee for service. If you have a dental plan, chances are you also have coverage for many of the services and products we offer at pt Health.
pt Health also accepts auto insurance and Work Safety Insurance Board (WSIB/WCB).
In some cases, we also accept Veterans Affairs and Medicare, such as OHIP (Ontario), Alberta Health Care and Medical Service Plan MSP (British Columbia). Not sure if you’ve got coverage with one of these government plans? We can help you find out. Just call us toll free at 1-866-749-7461.
At pt Health we believe your health should come first. We take care of the paperwork so you can focus on getting better, plus we offer direct insurance billing, saving you time and up front costs.
Research
The Cochrane research summary published in 2005 concluded that patients who have arthritis of the knee could be treated effectively with braces. It stated that braces could reduce pain, improve physical function an slow disease progression.
Thomas W. Kaminski, Assistant Professor of Sports Medicine at Marietta College in Marietta, OH has stated that “center of balance with the platform moving in a dorsi/plantar flexion direction was improved while wearing the knee brace” in his research summary.