When it comes to choosing a back support, one of the most important considerations is finding the best fit possible. Male and female spines are fundamentally different in shape; the female spine features a greater curvature, a caudally located lordotic peak, and greater cranial peak height.1
Many back supports are designed for unisex use, meaning they aren’t always made to accommodate the natural differences in shape between men and women.
DonJoy® LadyStrap is made specifically for the female body. Fitted at the waist, with a more pronounced lumbar curvature, it’s shaped to fit a woman’s natural curves. This means women can now get the same support and targeted pain relief they expect from a DonJoy back support, but with improved comfort. And with a host of adjustable features, DonJoy LadyStrap helps provide even more precise back support.
DonJoy LadyStrap’s features
The support’s height-adjustable back pad provides additional support and compression in the back area, and can be placed at different heights to help target low back pain.
A pair of bilateral straps enables the wearer to adjust the level of compression to suit their needs; increased for activity and reduced for periods of relaxation.
Its four semi-rigid dorsal stays are curved for optimal anatomical fit and improved comfort.
The ergonomic front closure with finger loop allows for fast and simple application and adjustment. And lace fabrics create a feminine look.
These features are in addition to those that come as standard with DonJoy back supports. A lightweight, low-profile design helps make extended periods of wear
comfortable, ideal during the acute phase. Optimal thermoregulation allows air circulation under the support for enhanced breathability. And soft and comfortable materials help prevent skin irritation.
Intended use and indications
DonJoy LadyStrap is designed to provide support and stabilization of the lumbar spine and relief of low back pain. It is indicated for:
Acute lower back pain
Back pain prevention, return to activities
Back sprain
Muscular weakness
Lumbar disc diseases (conservative treatment)
Available in two heights and five sizes, DonJoy LadyStrap fits waists from 56 to 136 cm.
Hay, O., Dar, G., Abbas, J., Stein, D., May, H., Masharawi, Y., Peled, N., & Hershkovitz, I. (2015). The Lumbar Lordosis in Males and Females, Revisited. PloS one, 10(8), e0133685.
Epicondylitis is a condition many tennis players and golfers will be familiar with. The repetitive movements associated with these activities can lead to pain in the lateral and medial tendons attached to the elbow, resulting in the conditions known commonly as ‘tennis elbow’ and ‘golfer’s elbow.’1
Tennis elbow is the most common cause of elbow pain, with 1-3% of adults affected every year, and a higher incidence in those aged 40-60.2 If untreated, the condition can continue for an average of 6-24 months.3
One type of non-surgical treatment for epicondylitis is bracing, but how effective is it? This article looks at the clinical evidence for forearm orthoses, and introduces a new elbow brace from DonJoy®, EpiForce® Strong.
What is epicondylitis?
Epicondylitis is clinically defined as pain in the region of the epicondyle (a rounded protuberance at the end of a bone).1 The pain is often caused by inflammation or micro-tearing of the tendons that join the forearm muscles on the elbow.3
• Lateral epicondylitis: Pain in the tendons that attach on the outside of the elbow. Also known as tennis elbow
• Medial epicondylitis: Pain in the tendons that attach on the inside of the elbow. Also known as golfer’s elbow
The overuse aspect of epicondylitis is often caused by repetitive wrist extension with alternating supination/pronation, hence its association with tennis and golf.3
However, these injuries can also be caused by forceful or repetitive work tasks, such as those involving non-neutral positions of the upper extremities, use of heavy tools, and high physical strain.4 Obesity and smoking are also risk factors for medial epicondylitis.1
Treatment of epicondylitis
Epicondylitis is first treated non-operatively, with a reported success rate of 90% over 12 to 18 months.5 Surgery is usually only recommended when conservative management fails to relieve symptoms after 6 to 12 months.6
Types of non-surgical epicondylitis treatment include:
Counterforce bracing
NSAIDs
Physical therapy and activity modification
Corticosteroid injections
Shockwave therapy
These interventions are aimed at relieving tendon strain, reducing tendon irritation and inflammation, and allowing the tendons to heal.5
Elbow bracing for epicondylitis
Elbow counterforce bracing is prescribed in 77% of tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis) cases in the USA.2 The most common type is a forearm orthosis, a band worn around the forearm to reduce loading on the extensor tendons of the elbow.
However, because the way in which these braces reduce pain and improve function in elbow epicondylitis is not well understood, it may be helpful to review a selection of clinical studies.7
Kroslak et al.’s 2019 clinical trial found that wearing Procare elbow braces reduced the level and frequency of pain for patients suffering lateral epicondylitis. They also helped reduce difficulties with picking up objects and twisting motions, lateral epicondyle tenderness, grip strength, and overall elbow function. Of the two braces used, the padded counterforce brace appeared to accelerate the recovery process and provide better pain relief.8
In their 2019 study, Barati et al. found that both an elbow band and an elbow sleeve were effective in improving proprioception, pain severity, and force production in the hand. However, better finger dexterity was achieved with the forearm band only.9
In their study comparing an elbow band to a wrist orthosis for treating epicondylitis, Akkurt et al. (2018) found both were effective. Pain, function, muscle strength, and quality of life were all improved.10
The results of Sadeghi-Demneh et al.’s 2013 study showed an elbow band and sleeve and a wrist brace all provided immediate improvement in lateral epicondylitis pain severity. Overall, the elbow band and sleeve were more effective.11
Heales et al.’s 2020 systematic review found that forearm orthoses can immediately reduce pain during contraction and improve pain-free grip strength, but not maximal grip strength, in individuals with lateral elbow tendinopathy.7
In conclusion, the literature presented here shows elbow bracing reduces frequency and level of pain, and improves function, pain-free grip strength, proprioception, and finger dexterity for patients with elbow epicondylitis.
Introducing EpiForce® Strong from DonJoy® – the easy way to elbow relief
When it comes to pain relief for the elbow, EpiForce Strong is the easy option.
Thanks to its removable pressure pad, DonJoy’s latest product offers a 2-in-1 bracing solution for tennis and golfer’s elbow. By simply moving the pad to the appropriate position, the brace can be used to help provide targeted pain relief for either lateral or medial epicondylitis.
Fitting is fast and simple and can be achieved with just one hand. Made from snap-fit material, the support wraps instantly around the arm and stays there while the patient clips the buckle into place. The single strap can then be adjusted easily to provide the suitable degree of compression; tighten the strap during activity, loosen it during periods of rest.
Lightweight and low profile, the brace can be worn comfortably throughout the day. And with universal sizing for either arm, EpiForce Strong even takes the hassle out of ordering.
Shiri, R., Viikari-Juntura, E., Varonen, H. and Heliövaara, M., 2006. Prevalence and determinants of lateral and medial epicondylitis: a population study. American journal of epidemiology, 164(11), pp.1065-1074.
Sanders Jr, T.L., Maradit Kremers, H., Bryan, A.J., Ransom, J.E., Smith, J. and Morrey, B.F., 2015. The epidemiology and health care burden of tennis elbow: a population-based study. The American journal of sports medicine, 43(5), pp.1066-1071.
Johnson, G.W., Cadwallader, K., Scheffel, S.B. and Epperly, T.D., 2007. Treatment of lateral epicondylitis. American family physician, 76(6), pp.843-848.
Haahr, J.P. and Andersen, J.H., 2003. Physical and psychosocial risk factors for lateral epicondylitis: a population based case-referent study. Occupational and environmental medicine, 60(5), pp.322-329.
Ahmed, A.F., Rayyan, R., Zikria, B.A. and Salameh, M., 2022. Lateral epicondylitis of the elbow: an up-to-date review of management. European Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery & Traumatology, pp.1-6.
Calfee, R.P., Patel, A., DaSilva, M.F. and Akelman, E., 2008. Management of lateral epicondylitis: current concepts. JAAOS-Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, 16(1), pp.19-29.
Heales, L.J., McClintock, S.R., Maynard, S., Lems, C.J., Rose, J.A., Hill, C., Kean, C.O. and Obst, S., 2020. Evaluating the immediate effect of forearm and wrist orthoses on pain and function in individuals with lateral elbow tendinopathy: a systematic review. Musculoskeletal Science and Practice, 47, p.102-147.
Kroslak, M., Pirapakaran, K., & Murrell, G. (2019). Counterforce bracing of lateral epicondylitis: a prospective, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Journal of shoulder and elbow surgery, 28(2), 288–295.
Barati, H., Zarezadeh, A., MacDermid, J. C., & Sadeghi-Demneh, E. (2019). The immediate sensorimotor effects of elbow orthoses in patients with lateral elbow tendinopathy: a prospective crossover study. Journal of shoulder and elbow surgery, 28(1), e10–e17.
Akkurt, H. E., Kocabaş, H., Yılmaz, H., Eser, C., Şen, Z., Erol, K., G ksu, H., Karaca, G., & Baktık, S. (2018). Comparison of an epicondylitis bandage with a wrist orthosis in patients with lateral epicondylitis. Prosthetics and orthotics international, 42(6), 599–605.
Sadeghi-Demneh, E., & Jafarian, F. (2013). The immediate effects of orthoses on pain in people with lateral epicondylalgia. Pain research and treatment, 2013, 353597.
Pregnancy pain is a common experience for many women, but it can often have a negative impact on their work lives and quality of life. Remedies for pelvic pain and low back pain during pregnancy often focus on water exercise and physiotherapy, which are not always practical solutions, but a growing number of clinical studies also support the role maternity support belts can play in reducing this pain.
There are two common types of pain during pregnancy:
Pelvic girdle pain
Pelvic girdle pain is defined as pain in the symphysis and/or between the posterior iliac crest and the gluteal fold, particularly in the vicinity of the sacroiliac joint.
There are several causes for this, but they tend to stem from hormonal and mechanical changes in the body, as internal organs move and ligaments soften to make room for the birth of the baby. During pregnancy, an increase in the hormone relaxin can cause increased laxity of the ligaments of the pelvic girdle, with the resulting increase in range of movement in the pelvic joint causing pain.1
Often beginning in the second trimester, low back pain is defined as pain between the costal margins and the inferior gluteal folds, which may be associated with pain referred down to the leg. Usually accompanied by painful limitation of movement, low back pain often interferes with quality of life and daily living.
The cause of low back pain is related to additional stress placed on the back as a result of changes in the body during pregnancy. It is normal to gain 20-40 pounds in weight during pregnancy, and as the abdominal muscles stretch, they lose their ability to maintain posture, causing the lower back to support the increased weight of the torso. Increased axial loading results in increased spine compression, which leads to pain.
Low back pain is often considered “normal” in pregnancy, with studies reporting a prevalence of 50%- 71.3% in pregnant women.6 As with pelvic girdle pain, low back pain is another leading cause for pregnant women seeking sick leave.2
How a maternity support belt can help reduce pregnancy pain
A maternity belt is a supportive garment designed to be worn during pregnancy to provide support to the lumbar spine or pelvic regions, thereby helping to relieve pain.
The intended effects include:
Compressing the body to increase proprioception
Reducing mechanical loading of the localized weight
Stabilising the lumbar spine and pelvis
Stimulating the action of the muscles around the abdomen, spine and pelvic floor
A range of recent studies3,4,5 have demonstrated the effectiveness of maternity belts in reducing both pelvic girdle pain and low back pain, as well as providing improved stability and reducing the risk of falling during pregnancy.
Convenient, safe, low cost, and easily accessible for pregnant women, it is common for specialists to recommend maternity belts, especially alongside other therapies.
MyBabyStrap®
DonJoy’s MyBabyStrap® is a lumbar maternity belt designed to help reduce pain and discomfort during and after pregnancy. It is indicated for
Lower back pain
Pelvic pain
Sacroiliac pain
Postural instabilities
Discomfort due to stretching and expansion of the abdomen
Back support after birth
MyBabyStrap includes a number of features to help provide functional, easy-to-use support for pregnant women.
Thanks to itsmodular design, the support is easy to adjust, making it adaptable to all stages of pregnancy and also after birth. This includes an adjustable back pad and four rigid posterior stays to help provide extra support and compression in the lumbar area, and bilateral straps that can be tightened to help provide additional relief. It also comes with a removable elastic strap for lower abdominal support.
MyBabyStrap’s anatomical shapefollows the natural contours of a pregnant body for a comfortable fit, with no pressure on the abdomen. Its thin, soft, and breathable fabric and ergonomic front panel also help to provide comfort whether sitting or standing, while the design includes stylish details for a more fashionable and attractive appearance.
Finally, the belt is easy to fit, with a simple hook-loop closure that allows patients to quickly and simply adjust it to reach the desired level of comfort. It comes in one size that fits waist circumferences from 80 to 150 cm.
1. Vleeming A, Albert HB, Ostgaard HC, Sturesson B, Stuge B. European guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of pelvic girdle pain. Eur Spine J. 2008;17(6):794-819.
2. Kristiansson P, Svärdsudd K, von Schoultz B. Back pain during pregnancy: a prospective study. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 1996;21(6):702-709.
3. Kordi R, Abolhasani M, Rostami M, Hantoushzadeh S, Mansournia MA, Vasheghani-Farahani F. Comparison between the effect of lumbopelvic belt and home based pelvic stabilizing exercise on pregnant women with pelvic girdle pain; a randomized controlled trial. J Back Musculoskelet Rehabil. 2013;26(2):133-139.
4. Flack NA, Hay-Smith EJ, Stringer MD, Gray AR, Woodley SJ. Adherence, tolerance and effectiveness of two different pelvic support belts as a treatment for pregnancy-related symphyseal pain – a pilot randomized trial. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2015;15:36.
5. Bertuit J, Van Lint CE, Rooze M, Feipel V. Pregnancy and pelvic girdle pain: Analysis of pelvic belt on pain. J Clin Nurs. 2018;27(1-2):e129-e137.
6. Kovacs FM, Garcia E, Royuela A, González L, Abraira V; Spanish Back Pain Research Network. Prevalence and factors associated with low back pain and pelvic girdle pain during pregnancy: a multicenter study conducted in the Spanish National Health Service. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2012;37(17):1516-1533.
