I 2nd the neoprene braces. My collection includes knee, elbo and wrist braces. They only see use if i am experiencing pain or stiffness, but i don't hesitate to wear them, its amazing how much they help to reduce pain and to heal the "injuries".
I keep an ace bandage in my bag, as soon as i start to feel a little discomfort from overuse of a certain joint it gets wrapped up. Latter when i get home i dig out one of the neoprene braces and wear it for a few days. The pain is lessened by the brace and the injury heals more quickly.
Once i get warmed up and working it is easy to forget about the injury.The brace is a good reminder to take it easy and kind of baby the affected area.
The ace bandages don't hold up well while working, and i often lose the little clips, so sometimes i wont put it on until i'm packing up for the day. Does anyone know of a better way to secure an ace bandage , something besides the little clips that come with the wrap, or safety pins? neither of those options work really well.
If you buy neoprene knee braces try and find one where the hook part of the velcro fastener points away from your skin. Mine fastens behind the knee, and often the attatchment will shift and cause the hooks to rub against the back of my leg, this can be irritating.
I've also had some luck with spandex arm warmers sold at bicycle stores. They are like a spandex sock that is open at both ends. And they fit nicely over my knee and shin gaurds.
I don't stretch an area that is in pain, this seems to do more harm than good. Sometimes a light extension to check the range of motion and to get an idea of how the area is doing. Also light massage of the muscles and gristle that are bothering me helps, i do this throughout the day. But my full stretching regime is preventitive, and can cause further inflamation of a trouble spot.
The other option I have seen practiced is just to drink alot of beer after work, or during luch if the pain is really bad. This will alow you to work through the discomfort. However it will eventually lead to cortozone shots, and probably surgery to clean out the mess of scar tissue that will develope. Personally i think it is a bad idea to do anything while under the influence of drugs, your chances of death or injury are greatly increased.