Medical Compression Sleeves for Arms and Upper Body
Compression sleeves are targeted arm aids to full-body solutions that are specifically designed to help you stay active and can be useful in chronic conditions, recovering from an injury, or soreness after exercise.
Over basic support medical compression sleeves for arms are designed with some versatility. Our bamboo elbow sleeves specifically assist with overuse injuries like tennis elbow or golfer's elbow, and chronic stiffness of the elbow. The bamboo fiber is anti-odor and keeps skin dry, which is a plus for long wear.
Suction compression for a full arm is designed for serious swelling problems that affect the entire limb. These are great for patients with lymphedema, post-surgery patients, or patients with circulatory problems suffering from uncomfortable swelling of the arm.
Targeted Arm Compression Sleeve for Reduction of Swelling
Arm compression sleeves for swelling must be calibrated for the right pressure balance. If the sleeve is too tight, it can cut off circulation. If too loose, it provides no benefit.
Key factors distinguishing effective sleeves from ineffective ones include:
- Graduated compression - tighter at the boundary, slackening toward the heart
- Skin-friendly, irritation-resistant wicking fabrics
- Seamless fabrication to eliminate chafing and pressure point irritation
- Wearable without the need to wrangle to put on
Compression in Pain Management and Sports Performance
Different mechanisms apply for arm pain and edema reduction sleeves. Pain sleeves help in stabilization and warming of the joints, promoting free-range movement in stiff joints. Ankle compression socks apply the same concepts for support in the lower extremities.
Reducing pain through compression for affected joints is done by controlling inflammation while increasing the flow of blood to the damaged tissues. Joints are kept loose through heat retention, preventing stiffening during rest.
Compression sleeves worn by athletes serve two distinct functions: enhancing performance and preventing injuries. These bamboo knee sleeves offer support to the joints during vigorous activity and mitigate soreness in the muscles post-workout.
Athletes incorporate compression garments differently:
- Before an event, compression garments are used to enhance balance and warm up the joints.
- During the event, compression garments provide support for unstable as well as previously injured joints.
- After workouts, garments assist in recovery by reducing swelling and enhancing healing.
- During travel, garments assist in preventing blood pooling in the veins during long trips.
Long training runs can trigger post-exercise swelling in the legs. Many runners find that leg compression sleeves enhance post-exercise recovery. Improved recovery enables runners to train more consistently, alleviating the feeling of heaviness in the legs.
Specialized Applications
A hand compression sleeve assists with arthritis and carpal tunnel syndrome, and serves office workers and manual laborers suffering from repetitive strain injuries. These injuries can result from repetitive tasks. These compressive sleeves provide support while still allowing for the fine motor movements necessary to perform detailed tasks.
It is often advised by both medical professionals and physiotherapists to first try limb-targeted compression before moving to full-limb compression. For targeted elbow compression, you can check our elbow brace collection.
Sizing and Fit Guidelines
As with any wearable device, correct sizing for the compression sleeve is critical. It may be more important that we get it the right way around. A sleeve that is too small can result in a tourniquet effect, worse swelling. On the other hand, a slack sleeve serves no purpose other than to waste money.
Measure the circumference at the widest part of the treatment area and note the length between key landmarks. Most manufacturers have detailed sizing charts. Opt for the larger size if unsure, and adjust compression through time-worn, rather than battling constricting sleeves that are too tight.