<P> In stage magic, gimmicked jackets, made for magicians who practice escape stunts, omit arm loops, fasten with simpler buckles, and / or leave hidden openings in the sleeves . </P> <P> Wearing an institutional straitjacket for long periods of time may cause pain for wearers . Blood pools in the elbows, causing swelling . The hands may become numb from lack of proper circulation . Bone and muscle stiffness causes the upper arms and shoulders excruciating pain . Many wearers in these unfortunate situations try in vain to move and stretch their arms by thrashing around in their jackets, which is why institutions take great precautions, such as monitoring patients and conforming to strict protocols, when outfitting people in straitjackets . </P> <P> To remove a straitjacket with both back and crotch - straps, it is not necessary to be able to dislocate one's shoulders in order to gain the slack necessary to pull an arm out of the sleeves . The necessity of this ability was fictitiously created by Harry Houdini and his brother Hardeen to try to lessen the amount of competition . Harry Houdini later in his career published his technical handling of the escape in a newspaper . Escape artists around the world commonly continue this rumor to "spice up" the escape . Without dislocating the shoulder, it is sometimes possible to get more room by pulling at the inside of the arms as they are being strapped or by keeping an elbow held outward to gain slack in the sleeves when the arm is relaxed . Another way to gain slack is to take and hold a deep breath while the jacket is being done up . </P> <P> It is possible for one person to put a willing volunteer into a straitjacket, but it generally takes at least two people to straitjacket a struggling person . </P>

Do they still use straight jackets in the uk