Customer Reviews

IMAK Reversible Carpal Tunnel Brace

5 star:		(25)
4 star:		(15)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(8)

 

 

I have made my living at a computer for more than 15 years and have paid with severe tendinitis and arthritis. When I found these gloves a year and a half ago I was nearly at wits end. They are a life saver. The padding and support are perfect. I can work without pain, and if I foolishly work without them - when I put them back on the support quickly helps me heal. I am not sure I could live without these gloves anymore. I have a pair for home and a pair that I carry in my laptop bag whenever I travel. (1 pair lasts me about a year, but that is with heavy use).

I highly recommend not just for those with injuries, but as a means of prevention as well. (the gloves with the thumb support work great as well, but take a little getting used to)

There may be better products out there than this one to protect the wrists, hands and fingers when keyboarding, but I didn't find one in 3 years when I had carpal tunnel in both hands. It's firm, but flexible, and the 'beads' protect your sensitive wrist muscles and nerves physically as well as psychologically. I used to start getting wrist pain just looking at a keyboard. Now I'm back to 12 hour days of work and haven't had a problem--yet. Two things I'd recommend. Make sure you get the right size and be sure to wash them about twice a month.

I found they were useful if I had a laptop actually in my lap and my hands and wrists were in odd positions. But sitting at a desk, they were more annoying with that giant palm-full of beads (which I doubt are massaging your hands for circulation). I found better relief with less annoyance with the gel wrist supports for mouse and keyboard. Due to their return policy, re-stocking fee and additional shipping, it ends up not being worth it to return them. So now I am stuck with two gloves I spent almost $40 on, and I have no use for them.

I ordered the support based on other reviews however there isn't an accurate way to determine your correct size on their site. The support was way to large for me so I returned it. I was charged $8.00 shipping to receive it but it only cost me about $1.75
to send it back. I received a call from the dealer stating that although I mentioned I wanted a smaller size I didn't state how I was going to pay the $8.00 shipping. Of course that would have brought my total shipping charges up to $17.75, which I feel is outrageous so I canceled the order altogether. I think it would be better to buy this item from someplace that you can try it on first, and avoid the high shipping charges totally.

I'm a young professional programmer and admittedly my wrists didn't begin to hurt until I started playing video games for an extended period of time (read:Starcraft 2). I purchased the Smart Glove because I began to experience pain in my wrists even after I was not at the computer. Plain and simple for me, the glove immobilizes my wrists just enough to discourage incorrect wrist positions and the bean bag elevates my wrist appropriately. I now wear the glove to work and when I'm playing video games. I feel no pain and I'm at the computer 12+ hours a day.

Pros:
- Bean bag under wrists at a perfect height to align my wrist with my mouse so I'm not flexing my wrist at an odd angle causing pain. The mouse I'm using is a Logitech Performance MX darkfield. The mouse has a higher profile than most which may be the reason it fits so well.
- Glove is nice and snug. I'm wearing a small because... well I have small hands. I would recommend that you find your size. My glove doesn't slide around and the bean bag is never out of position.
- The splint at the top is firm but not flimsy. It allows for flexibility like other users have commented. I do not wish it to be more stiff because I prefer the flexibility and it's firm enough to discourage unwanted wrist position
- Reversible!


Cons:
- I anticipate this guard to break down after a year like the other users have commented. Perhaps a more durable material can be placed below the bean bag to increase its life. However, for $10 per wrist it's silly not to wear one because it prevents further nerve damage. $10 is my copay for a doctor's visit.
- It only comes in black. No tiger print, hot pink, or sky blue colors. Meh.

TL;DR
My wrists do not hurt after wearing this guard

I measured my hand, and I ordered the small one. However, after trying the glove, it was hurting my wrist. I could not return because the box was open. So be careful in choosing the size. I should have chosen the larger one.( it took a while to get used to the pressure)

I bought one of these IMAK smart gloves about 6 years ago from my chiropractor's office. I was having some hand and wrist pain at the time. Since then, I wore the smart glove whenever I was using the computer keyboard repetitively, particularly a laptop which does not have any wrist support. The glove has greatly prevented me from developing carpal tunnel syndrome. My wrist is doing quite well. The glove is flexible and comfortable. What I like is there is no velcro straps like some wrist supports. The other thing, are the beads in the palm of the glove. They really provide some extra padding for my palm. So, after my other glove was worn down to the threads, I found the same brand on Amazon and ordered one. It's the same design as 6 years ago, and I am so happy with that. I hope they stay in business a long time, I will want to buy more of their products.

This would probably be a good product (which is why I'm not rating it lower) if you didn't have to rely on luck to get it in the right size. I used the sizing information on their Web site, and I measured very carefully, but it turns out I probably need a size larger. It is not clear from their return policy whether they will accept this type of product for exchange. I emailed them twice and got no response. If I did return it for exchange however - and this was stated by another reviewer - I would have to pay the originally high shipping fee ($8.45) again, which would mean paying $17.90 in shipping for a product that costs $16.99 . . . assuming that the replacement fit properly! I ordered this on line only because I couldn't find any in the stores that they say carry their products. I would think twice about ordering anything from this company on line that you might have to return. They talk about how deeply discounted their products are, but they make it up in the shipping.

I have issues with carpal and cubital tunnel syndromes and was disappointed by this wrist brace. The material that is supposed to keep the wrist straight is not metal, but rather a flexible material that almost feels like cardboard. As a result, this product doesn't keep my wrist straight.

I wound up choosing a wrist brace that includes a metal piece to immobilize my wrist in a neutral position. I think I'd suggest this product as a "support" for those already recovering, not than a "brace" for someone who deals with routine pain.

(And for what it's worth, I'll note that you slip your hand into this rather than tightening Velcro straps.)

IMAK Reversible Carpal Tunnel Brace, Medium 1 ea

I actually believe this had my hand worse. I still get horrible pain. When I put it on the pressure is so bad. My glove was even loose(i need an extra small). It stopped the numb feeling but the pain is so bad. I took aleve and had the glove on last night. I took it off for 10 mins because i have a piercing on my arm. I felt pain but not as intense. I do not like this glove. It was my second choice, but I wish I found the other one. I am now ordering it this Friday. The cushion of beads would be great IF I didn't feel like I had a growth on the bottom of my wrist. And the part that is normally on the bottom is on the top. Which makes it horrible for moving for me. My hand since then has started to swell. But I have only known Ive had it for a week but its suppose to help with the pain, numbness and swelling and relax my wrist. It is not relaxing my wrist. I feel as if my hand is just tired all the time. I think I rather deal with my hand feeling numb then wear this thing. If I could return it I would. Also, I found it cheaper at a store near me. 5 dollars cheaper. But they have no xsmalls which is what I need. I couldnt even find them online. I will never purchase another imak product.