You must have seen athletes who dislocate their shoulders, sitting on the bench with their shoulder wrapped by some sort of protective material. These are called shoulder supports and as the name implies, it is meant to give support to the shoulder.
They can be used for dislocated shoulders, swollen shoulders and for sprain injuries related to shoulders. Their objective can be to provide immobilization to the joints of the shoulder or they can also be used to provide cold treatment to the swollen shoulder. Supports are commonly made of neoprene material and can be worn inside the shirt or on top of it. Some of the supports in the market are made of washable material so that it can be easily washed and reused. Other type of support materials in the market which is fast gaining acceptance is the light weight supports which is also made of neoprene material but is lighter in weight and very comfortable to wear. In addition to the neoprene material, you also have supports made of a combination of nylon, cotton and rubber. Products made from this type of material are not latex free unlike neoprene material and hence may cause allergic reactions in people who are sensitive to latex. Shoulder supports are commonly available in black, blue and white colors but I would personally recommend a black or blue color as you can wear them for a longer period of time even if they get dirty.
A shoulder support can be available in four different sizes and their selection is based on the chest size of the individual. Smaller size supports are meant for individuals with chest sizes 32-36 inches, medium size is for individuals with chest sizes 36-40 inches, large size is for individuals with chest sizes 40-45 inches and extra large size is for individuals with chest sizes 45-50 inches. There are many online shops which sell these supports in a price range of $25-$125 depending on the features they offer. However, it is advisable to buy these supports personally from the shop so that you can see how well they fit your body.
So, if you have a problem with your shoulder and your physician recommends you to wear a support don’t just buy a cheap one but look out for some better alternatives available in the market.