I agree with Loretta about wearing the brace at night. I wore it every night for a while, lately I have't had to wear it.
As for binding, mostly I do the backside by hand -- little by little. I know what you mean by others being faster. If I do by machine, I do a self binding. My sis does like Judy said-- stitch to back first. I have a hard time doing it that way which is why I self bind most of my charity quilts.