Shoulder injuries can greatly affect your mobility and cause discomfort, especially for athletes. Learning how to properly wrap a shoulder offers stability, reduces the risk of further injury, and promotes recovery. Whether you’re dealing with a strain, dislocation, or general overuse, wrapping your shoulder can provide the support you need.
Why Wrap a Shoulder?
The shoulder joint has one of the widest ranges of motion in the body, which makes it particularly prone to injury. Wrapping the shoulder helps limit excessive movement, stabilizing the joint and reducing stress on the muscles, ligaments, and tendons. This not only prevents injuries but can also speed up recovery.
How Do You Wrap a Shoulder?
Let’s take our McDavid Shoulder Support Wrap [463] as an example. This is how you approach wrapping your shoulder with this product:
Step 1: Get your wrap ready
Before you start, make sure you have two adjustable straps and a neoprene cuff. These are essential components that will help provide compression and support to stabilize your shoulder while maintaining mobility.
Step 2: Attach the long strap
Begin by attaching one end of the long strap to the upper part of the neoprene cuff, specifically on the backside. This step is crucial as it forms the anchor point, securing the base of the strap to give you the necessary tension throughout the wrapping process.
Step 3: Slide the cuff onto your shoulder
Gently slide the neoprene cuff over your shoulder, ensuring that it sits snugly around the joint. The cuff should provide gentle compression to help stabilize the shoulder and reduce swelling while still allowing for a comfortable range of motion.
Step 4: Wrap the strap around your back
Take the long strap and bring it around your back, making sure it’s tightly secured across your torso. Once the strap is wrapped fully around, fasten it at the front of the shoulder unit, ensuring it’s tight enough to hold the cuff in place but not too tight that it restricts your movement or causes discomfort.
Step 5: Adjust the upper arm cuff
After securing the main strap, position the upper arm cuff and secure it firmly using the smaller strap around your upper arm. This additional cuff offers extra support to the shoulder, helping ensure that the wrap stays in place during movement.
Step 6: Tighten the shoulder cap
Finally, adjust the shoulder cap using the two tabs provided, making sure it fits snugly yet comfortably. This step is essential to provide full support while maintaining flexibility for your shoulder, ensuring the wrap stays secure without limiting your range of motion.
FINAL TIPS
When wrapping your shoulder, always ensure that the wrap is tight enough to provide support but not so tight that it causes discomfort. Always consult a medical professional if you're unsure about the correct technique or if you experience persistent pain.
With the right technique, wrapping your shoulder can provide the support you need to stay active and recover more quickly. Always ensure a secure but comfortable fit, and consult a medical professional if necessary.
