WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF USING A WAIST TRIMMER

The ideas of waist trimming and compression for support have been around for ages. In “Fashion and Fetishism” author David Kunzel makes known to readers that women have been using forms of binding for centuries to create trimmer hourglass bodies for aesthetic purposes. 

Today’s waist trimmers promote the idea they’ll help you lose weight by shedding pounds.  Although you might now experience a major turnaround in the size of your waist, waist trimmers hold other benefits worth noting.

BACK SUPPORT

Patients that have suffered back injuries or spine trauma are encouraged to use waist trimmers and compression corsets to help support their backs for effective healing and pain relief.  Compression is often used in physical therapy to help the recovery process.

Wearing a waist trimmer can help individuals with bad backs by improving one’s posture and the pain they experience as a large part of their day.  They’re comfortable and effective. If you have issues with your back, a waist trimmer might prove to offer much needed back support to encourage you to stand up straight and help reduce some of the constant pressure on your back.

SLIMMING EFFECTS

Although the idea of waist trimmers helping people shed weight has not been studied, much doubt has been cast on the idea that wearing a waist trimmer will help you free yourself of weight. You might see a slimming of the waist when trying on the belt as stated by Diet Spotlight. 

The fact is the majority of today’s waist trimmers are made of neoprene material that stretches to secure easily around the waist.  The like the corsets of old, it will create a false idea of having a slimmer waist while it’s worn – even if it doesn’t spot reduce around your middle section.

DIET REMINDER

Although a waist trimmer won’t help you drop 10 pounds effortlessly, it can serve as a helpful reminder to eat healthy in addition to bumping up your exercise regimen – both of which can aid in promoting healthy weight loss in people.

Even though a waist trimmer is not going to magically cause you to lose pounds, the act of wearing the waist trimmer could be helpful in providing a constant reminder to try a salad instead of fried chicken at dinner.  The constant reminder around your waist can serve as a constant physical cue, as well as, a motivational source to help you go to the gym after work to achieve your fitness goals.

CONFIDENCE BOOSTER

Standing taller can be a sign of having more confidence.  Waist trimmers can be worn underneath clothing and do not have any limitations on their use which makes them a great choice for improving one’s posture.  With better posture and more confidence, you will possess the key ingredients to work harder at your exercise program, and remaining consistent with your healthy eating habits.

Sources:

• "Fashion & Fetishism: Corsets, Tight-Lacing and Other Forms of Body-Sculpture"; David Kunzle; 2006
• Diet Spotlight: Neoprene Waist Trimmer Review

WHAT IS A LCL (LATERAL COLLATERAL LIGAMENT) TEAR?

The LCL, also known as the lateral collateral ligament, is one of four supporting ligaments that provide stability for the knee joint when engaged in any kind of movement. The LCL runs along the outside of the knee to connect the upper thigh bone (femur) to the narrower lower leg bone (fibula). Graded mild to severe, an LCL injury can be a stretch, a partial tear, or complete tear of the lateral collateral ligament.

WHAT CAUSES AN LCL TEAR OR SPRAIN?

The LCL in injured by a direct blow to the inside aspect of the knee which stretches or tears the LCL ligament. A very hard hit or blow to the inside of the knee can impact the ligament along the outside aspect of the knee and cause it to stretch it tear. This type of injury often seen with dislocations and can happen in a variety of contact sports. This can cause the LCL, which is located on the outside of the knee, to be stretch or torn beyond its normal range of motion. Tears to the LCL are often seen during knee dislocations. Luckily LCL injuries are far less common than tears to other ligaments in the knee.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?

• There will often be pain on the outer side of your knee.
• There will be swelling and tenderness.
• You may have the feeling of your knee giving way.
• You might hear or feel a pop or snap at the time of injury.

It is important to consult an expert physician to diagnose and confirm an LCL injury. Your doctor will be able to perform an evaluation that will consist of asking questions about how the injury occurred, as well as, check your range of motion to help diagnose your injury. An MRI test may also be ordered to confirm the injury. If your knee is swollen the doctor will often recommend using an elastic bandage, as well as, crutches to help slowly begin walking with less stiffness. WHAT IS THE

TREATMENT FOR AN LCL INJURY?

Immediately after an LCL injury, the proper treatment consists of RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) to help reduce the amount of swelling and inflammation present inside the knee joint. This treatment should be initiated within the first 24 hours after the injury and should be continued until an appointment with a doctor can be made. The previous activity should be halted until the checkup with the physician.

Using over the counter anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen may be helpful with reducing inflammation.

Most of the time surgery is not needed to repair the torn LCL unless other knee ligaments have also been injured. The LCL does not attach to the lateral meniscus so injuries to the meniscus are not typically present in conjunction with LCL sprains. While recovering from this injury a rigid hinged knee brace can be worn to provide support and protection for healing ligaments.

The extra stability will provide added safety with walking activities. Your doctor may also recommend starting a physical therapy rehabilitation program to slowly regain both full range of motion and muscular strength.

WHEN CAN I RETURN TO FULL ACTIVITY OR SPORTS?

The goal of rehabilitation is to return you to your sport or activity as soon as is safely possible. If you return too soon you may worsen your injury, which could lead to permanent damage. Everyone recovers from injury at a different rate so returning to your sport or activity will be determined by how soon your knee recovers, not by how many days or weeks it has been since your injury occurred. You may safely return to your sport or activity when, starting from the top of the list and progressing to the end, each of the following is true:

1. Your injured knee can be fully straightened and bent without pain.
2. Your knee and leg have regained normal strength compared to the uninjured knee and leg.
3. Your knee is not swollen.
4. You are able to jog straight ahead without limping.
5. You are able to sprint straight ahead without limping.
6. You are able to do 45-degree cuts.
7. You are able to do 90-degree cuts.
8. You are able to do 20-yard figure-of-eight runs.
9. You are able to do 10-yard figure-of-eight runs.
10. You are able to jump on both legs without pain and jump on the injured leg without pain.

Because your knee will be weaker than it normally was before your injury, be sure to wear a knee brace to support your LCL to prevent further injury. It’s also a good idea to ice your knee after activity or sports to help speed your recovery.

MEDIAL COLLATERAL LIGAMENT (MCL) INJURIES

The Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL)is a broad fan-shaped ligament that runs on the inner side of the knee.   It links your thigh bone (femur) and shin bone (tibia). The MCL works in conjunction with three other main ligaments to help provide knee stability with walking, running activities, and sports.  An MCL injury refers to a sprain or tear of the MCL which can result in pain, swelling, and instability when injured along with the ACL, LCL, or PCL ligaments.

The MCL is very important to overall knee function and is commonly injured.  According to he American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation:

• The MCL is injured in at least 42% of all knee ligament injuries.
• MCL sprain is the most common knee injury in high school athletes.
• MCL injuries account for 60% of skiing-related injuries.
• MCL injuries commonly occur in Football, soccer, hockey, and rugby.

WHAT CAUSES MCL INJURIES

MCL injuries can either stretch or tear the medial collateral ligament.  This is usually seen in contact sports where a direct blow to the outside lateral side of the knee causes a sprain or torn MCL. People that play contact sports like football and rugby, or other sports where players impact other athletes with tremendous force, can injure their MCL this way.

You can also stretch or tear your MCL  by catching your foot in the ground and twisting to the side, away from the planted leg.

SYMPTOMS OF A TORN MCL

If you sprain your MCL or LCL, you’ll commonly experience symptoms like:

• Knee pain and swelling.
• Tenderness directly over the injured ligament.
• Weakness or instability at your knee joint.

In more severe injuries patients can often experience instability or buckling of the knee with simple walking activities.

HOW TO TREAT A TORN MCL

Check with your doctor to confirm a diagnosis if you suspect that you have torn your MCL.  Immediate use of RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) can help reduce pain and inflammation caused by this type of knee injury.  Consult with your physician to see if Ibuprofen or NSAIDs are recommended to help control the inflammatory process.

TREATMENT: Wearing an MCL knee brace is often recommended by physicians to help provide stability, during the healing process. 

Fortunately, MCL injuries heal on their own and the vast majority do not require surgery.  If you have suffered a serious type of knee injury then have it checked out by an expert physician. Even if surgery is not required many times physical therapy will be offered to patients to help strengthen the muscles around the knee joint to regain stability, and to help ensure full flexibility of the knee joint has been recovered.

Sources:

1. American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
2. Najibi S. The use of knee braces, Part 1: prophylactic knee braces in contact sports. American Journal of Sports Medicine. 2005; 33(4): 602-611. doi:10.1177/0363546505275128.
3. Bollen S. Epidemiology of knee injuries: diagnosis and triage. Br J Sports Med. 2000;34(3):227-228. doi:10.1136/bjsm.34.3.227-a.

Do you love exercising? Having a bad knee and wearing a knee brace is definitely something that can distance you from doing what you enjoy the most - but it shouldn’t. Every exercise that you’ve done in the past can be modified so that your knee is safe from harm.

Knee braces are designed to provide additional support to your knee and help you maintain regular physical activity even if it targets thigh and calf muscles. Here are a few tips for working out while wearing a knee brace:

Limit your Range of Motion 

In order to stay on the safe side of things, you have to pay attention to your range of motion. So how do you identify your limits for your range of motion?

It’s simple.

Flex and extend the leg with the injured knee and identify the points where the pain starts to manifest. It’s crucial to do this when exercising and not when you are lying or sitting down. And never test this while in a lot of pain – it will only make things worse.

Once you get a bearing of your range of motion, limit your exercises to this range so you don’t injure yourself further.  

Choose Softer Surfaces

If your workout involves moving, running, or jumping around, you have to pay attention to the surface you work on. You should consider investing in a decent fitness mat. The softness and elasticity of these materials will absorb the portion of the energy which would otherwise end up in your ankles, knees, hips, and spine.

Relieving a great deal of the pressure from your knees will enable you to go through your workout in a safer way.

Tips for Specific Exercises 

We understand that everyone has favorite exercises and just because you’re wearing a knee brace that shouldn’t mean you should have to cut out some of your favorite exercises out of your workout completely. Here are a few tips on how you can keep some of your favorite exercises in your workout while also keeping your knee safe:

Explosive and Lateral Moves

Since you are wearing a knee brace, the additional support it provides will allow you to once again enjoy explosive and lateral moves. If your exercise includes many of those movements, make sure that you are using a proper knee brace fitted to your injury and knee size. Knee braces with additional patella stability are a great option for these types of exercises.

Cardiovascular Workouts

Running long distances is a great cardiovascular workout but can prove very inconvenient with a knee brace. This is why you should consider introducing a rowing machine or swimming to your cardiovascular workouts.

When swimming, water removes any impact on the knees from the equation. There’s no need to even wear a knee brace while swimming. On the other hand, using a rowing machine with a knee brace on is far more convenient than running, while it provides the same, if not somewhat better results.

Leg Extension and Leg Curl

Leg extensions and curls are one of the most popular exercises amongst people who wear knee braces. The key thing to do these exercises safely is to slowly build strength in your thighs. To achieve this, you want to limit the range of motion (limited flexion and extension) and use lighter weights when you do leg curls and extensions.

Squat Modifications

When doing squats with a knee brace, you also have to respect the limited range of motion. Use a chair for stability when doing bodyweight squats. Make sure that your knees are behind your toes and lean on your heels to push your body weight.

With all these modifications, you will be able to work out with ease even while wearing a knee brace. For a look at the best and most versatile selection of knee braces, browse DME-Direct’s knee braces today!

 FIND BASKETBALL KNEE BRACES

Have you ever paid close attention to professional basketball players’ knees? We don’t blame you if you haven’t, but if you have, you’d be able to see that most players wear some kind of knee protection and support – one of the most common is a knee brace. 

 If you want to protect your knees and enjoy playing basketball in a safe way, it’s crucial to find the perfect basketball knee brace. But picking the right one might turn into a problem if you don't know what to look for, so we’ve compiled a few tips for just that.

 Here is exactly how to find the correct knee brace for basketball:

 When to Use Basketball Knee Braces

 The way you use basketball knee braces is completely different from the way you use sleeves and pads. Their purpose is to protect the knee from basketball-related injuries and help it heal.

 Knee braces have sewn-in support and increase the stability of your knees and prevent hyperextension that can cause damage to your knee. Knee braces are often prescribed to basketball players after they’ve suffered a knee injury.

Choosing the Appropriate Type

Knee braces come in several types. Each of the following ones comes with unique features and benefits. 

Closed or Open Patella Braces

Some basketball knee braces come equipped with a hole in the center. The ones with the hole are called open patella and the ones without it are called closed patella braces. They provide different benefits to the wearer. 

Closed patella braces are designed to provide additional support by equally distributing pressure to the entire knee area. Open patella braces are designed to deliver pressure relief to the knee joint and they provide extra knee cap support during specific movements. 

Hinged Knee Braces 

These braces are often used by basketball enthusiasts and pros who’ve had knee surgery. They provide a significant level of support and protection and are designed to help your knee heal while allowing you to enjoy your favorite sport. Hinged knee braces will help your knee and keep it properly aligned when it bends, thus preventing injuries.

Consult your doctor if you are considering getting one. The scope of your injury will dictate whether you need a soft or a more rigid one.

Wraparound Knee Braces 

These braces provide less support than hinged knee braces. They are designed to help you work your way through mild or moderate knee pain. Since they are not as bulky and heavy as the hinged ones, you will be able to put them on and take them off very easily. They are usually the best option if you find that an ordinary knee sleeve doesn’t provide enough support.

How to Pick the Perfect Knee Brace for Basketball 

A knee brace is a must-have if you’ve had a knee injury in your lifetime. The most important thing to do is consult your doctor. When selecting your ideal knee brace it’s crucial to consider your type of knee injury and your preferred and recommended knee movement. 

Take Your Knee Measurements 

To pick a perfectly sized knee brace, measure the distance around the knee, above the knee (thigh), and below your knee (calf). Compare the measurements to the knee brace manufacturer guide to get a properly sized knee brace.

Knowing these facts will help you find the correct knee brace so that you can enjoy playing basketball pain-free. Be sure to browse through our selection of advanced basketball knee braces today!