Support Your Body with an Arm Sling
An arm sling is a helpful solution for providing adequate support if you've injured your shoulder or arm and need to immobilize it during the healing process. By using a quality arm sling to keep your arm still, you effectively prevent any unintended movements and promote a natural healing process. This approach helps your body recover more swiftly on its own terms. Additionally, wearing an arm sling can alleviate discomfort and pain in your muscles and joints by reducing further strain on them.
An arm sling can be particularly effective for support in cases such as sprains, fractures, or muscle and joint injuries. It's also commonly used post-surgery to give the arm or shoulder the necessary rest and time for healing.
Which Arm Sling Should I Choose?
At Seniorshop, we carry arm slings equipped with velcro and/or extendable, adjustable straps, making them very easy to customize for your height or width.
The arm sling you should choose depends on your specific need for relief and support. You’ve likely received some recommendations from your doctor that you should follow. If you're uncertain or unsure, don't hesitate to consult with your doctor, who can provide you with professional advice and guidance. It's crucial to achieve proper and effective relief with your arm sling.
Our range of arm slings includes:
- A simple arm sling - Net arm sling - Double strap arm sling - Cross-back arm sling
3 Things to Keep in Mind When Using an Arm Sling
At Seniorshop, we sell arm slings suitable for various needs. For example, you can purchase a simple open arm sling worn over your back when putting it on. You can also choose more stabilizing slings like a model with an accompanying strap that fastens around the waist for better fixation. We've compiled three key tips for what to be particularly mindful of when using an arm sling:
1. Correct Use of the Arm Sling
First and foremost, ensure you’re using it correctly. It's important, for instance, to make sure the shoulder isn't sagging. For proper relief, your arm sling needs to fit in an anatomically appropriate and comfortable manner, supporting the body’s natural posture. Therefore, it's vital to adjust it precisely using the adjustable straps. Always remember to read the accompanying instructions.
2. Movement of the Elbow Joint
It’s also essential to move your elbow joint at regular intervals. This means you should ideally remove the sling several times a day (unless instructed otherwise) and gently bend your elbow to maintain mobility. If the elbow joint remains immobile for an extended period, it can become stiff and swollen, which is undesirable but preventable with small, simple movement exercises.
3. Remember Good Hygiene
Bear in mind that using an arm sling increases perspiration under the arms as the arm remains very close to the body, limiting air circulation to the underarm area. This can also lead to skin irritation, which should be avoided for your comfort. Therefore, maintaining good hygiene under the arms by cleansing with a wet, clean cloth daily is important.
How to do it: Gently guide your injured arm to rest on a secure and sufficiently high surface with your healthy arm—such as the sink in the bathroom. Then, carefully wash your underarm and passively return the injured arm to the sling after cleaning.
How to Put on Your Arm Sling
Once you've determined your needs and tailored the best possible solution in consultation with your doctor or other healthcare professionals, you're ready to apply your arm sling. Luckily, an arm sling is easy to put on, and it's advisable to always follow the instructions provided with it, particularly for adjustments.
Recommendations for applying and adjusting:
- It's recommended to sit down when taking off or putting on the arm sling or making adjustments. This way, you have better control during application and can more easily rest the entire arm. - An arm sling should ideally be kept close to the body. Use a fixing belt if it comes with the sling. - The arm should be maintained in a 90-degree position.
It isn't always easy to dress and undress with an arm sling—this requires different efforts compared to having two fully functional arms.
When putting on clothes for the upper body, start by slipping the sleeve over the injured arm. Then pull the neck opening over your head and finally slip the other sleeve onto the opposite shoulder with the healthy arm. To remove the shirt, simply reverse the order.
