Do you suffer from back pain, chronic headaches, or even neck strain? If so, you may want to consider using a posture corrector.
Unfortunately, due to the modern world we now live in, many of us spend our days hunched over computers, lifting phones to our ears, or even watching television. While these are not the only causes of poor posture, they can have a huge impact on the way we carry ourselves.
The chances are, if you suffer from one of the above, you may have a problem with your posture, and, unfortunately, correcting bad posture can be extremely difficult. Once your back, shoulders, and neck align in a certain way, breaking the habit can be hard.
One of the most effective ways to correct bad posture is a posture corrector. While you may think that jacuzzis, massage parlors, and other activities will help, they only offer a temporary solution to most peoples’ problems.
In this article, we’re going to tell you everything you need to know about a posture corrector. We’ll tell you about some of their health benefits, what causes bad posture, and highlight some of the different types of posture correctors on the market today.
Lastly, we’ll share some of the specifications you should look out for when choosing a posture corrector and showcase some of the most reputable manufacturers in the industry today. So, without further ado, let’s get started.
In This Article You Will Learn...
What Is A Posture Corrector?
Also known as a posture brace, a posture corrector is a device that is worn externally in order to correct short and long-term posture problems.
Typically, these mechanisms keep the back, shoulders, and neck aligned and upright by training the body to stay in the correct and healthy position.
A posture corrector is often worn for a specific amount of time until the muscles are strong enough to support the body in a healthy way. These devices are usually worn for approximately 30 minutes in order to allow the muscles to relax.
Why Is Good Posture Important For Your Health
Good posture helps you distribute the right amount of pressure to the various muscles, ligaments, and tendons in your body. By helping these parts of your body to perform the way they should, you’ll significantly reduce the amount of strain on your bones and joints.
This, in turn, has a domino effect on the rest of your body. You’ll be less likely to get arthritis and other degenerative diseases.
With good posture, your muscles and bones will be in good health, which means they’ll be able to keep your organs in the right position, thus allowing them to maintain their intended functions.
Bad Posture Can Cause Serious Health Issues
Bad posture is often caused by weak or tight muscles. Research also shows that obesity, pregnancy, and wearing the wrong footwear can have a significant effect on our posture. But, bad posture can also cause its own set of serious health issues. Here are some of them:
Neck Pain
Neck pain is among the most common causes of bad posture. This is often caused by spending too much time slouching over a computer or desk. It’s also a common problem found in people who spend a lot of time typing on their phones.
Headaches
Because the muscles in our back are linked to our shoulders and of course our neck, it’s common to see people with bad posture suffer from tension headaches. These headaches can often be felt across the forehead and around the eyes, temples, and ears.
Back Pain
The muscles in our upper bodies are all connected to our spine and other sensitive areas that run through our backs. Bad posture can cause serious, and sometimes life-changing pain that can leave you bed bound if not treated correctly.
Shoulder Pain
If you spend a lot of time slouching you may find that you have a sharp pain in your shoulders. This can often also be caused by too much or not enough exercise. Shoulder pain can have a direct impact on the rest of your upper body, and can even lead to neck pain and headaches.
Gastrointestinal Pains
Your gastrointestinal system works overtime day in, day out. It is what helps you move food through your body to ensure that you have the right balance of nutrients to function correctly.
Bad posture can affect your digestive organs by compressing them in a way that leaves them incapable of functioning the way they should. This can stunt your metabolism, impairing your body’s ability to process various foods.
How Does A Posture Corrector Work?
A posture corrector trains your neck, shoulders, and back to realign by strengthening your core and relieving pressure on your back area as well as the abdomen and neck.
Typically made of an elastic material and worn on the lumbar area, these devices hold your body in the correct position in order to train your main core and back muscle groups to learn how to support a healthy posture.
Posture correctors are ideal for people who suffer from back pain, scoliosis, and various other medical conditions, as well as for people who have suffered an injury from lifting heavy objects.
Who Should Wear A Posture Corrector?
Posture correctors can be worn by virtually anyone looking to improve their posture. That said, they’re especially useful for those who suffer from back, neck, or shoulder pain, especially as these pains can be aggravated by poor posture.
Posture correctors can help reduce slouching which is one of the key causes of added stress on the lower back and spine.
Spinal problems can lead to a huge variety of health problems and wearing a posture corrector can also prevent these issues. This is especially true for people who spend a lot of their day sitting in front of a computer.
Wearing a posture corrector can also come in handy with athletes. It is recommended that bodybuilders wear a posture corrector in order for them to maintain good posture when lifting heavy weights. This is also true for people who are required to lift heavy objects at work.
The Different Types Of Posture Corrector
Posture correctors can be made of different materials, most of which are stretchable, for example, spandex and rubber. These can also be made of non-elastic materials such as cotton.
Posture correctors come in all shapes and sizes and can be worn in different ways. These specifications depend hugely on the type of corrector you choose. Here are some of the most common types of posture correctors:
Back Braces
Back braces take some getting used to but are one of the most common types of posture corrector available. They typically fit over your shoulders and push into the spine’s middle region in order to straighten the upper spine and neck, allowing the shoulders to retract.
Posture Belts
Posture belts help rectify posture from the base of the spine. They’re great for correcting bad habits rather than a specific injury. These types of braces are typically worn by people who sit at a desk for long periods of time.
Posture Shirts
Posture shirts are a standard form of corrector and typically come in an elasticated material. They press on the main muscle groups but come in the shape of clothing. As a result, you’ll have access to a broader array of sizes, shapes, and colors.
Posture Corrector Bras
Posture corrector bras are great for those suffering from problems in the chest area. They are more commonly used by women but can also be used by men who have trouble with the posture of their upper body.
Electronic Posture Corrector
There are a huge variety of electronic posture correctors now available, some of which can send alerts in the form of vibrations or sounds.
Vibrating posture correctors help you identify when you are slouching and tend to go off when they receive an indication that you are not sitting or standing up straight.
Electronic posture correctors also come in the form of smartwear that can be worn on your wrist, spine, chest, belt, neck, as a cushion, and much more.
Gender Specific Posture Correctors
Some back braces are specific to both men and women. Posture correctors for men are normally larger in size while posture correctors for women are smaller and can be worn around the breast area.
These female orientated posture correctors evenly distribute the weight of the breasts and come with thicker straps, a front closure mechanism, and separated cups.
Unisex Posture Correctors
It is worth noting that many posture correctors are designed to suit both men and women, the only difference being that you can choose between a variety of sizes to suit your stature.
Sizes typically vary from extra small to double extra large and some manufacturers offer one size fits all models. Always check out the manufacturer’s guidelines when picking a size.
What To Look Out For When Choosing A Posture Corrector
The only way you can buy the right posture corrector is by considering your individual needs. Here are some specifications to pay close attention to when making a final choice:
Size
While you may think that a one size fits all posture corrector is the best option, these are often designed for people that fit within a very specific range of body measurements.
If you’re particularly small, tall, short, or large you may find that these correctors will not do the job they’re intended to. If you do opt for one of these models, check the unit’s stretchability.
On the other hand, you could choose a posture corrector that comes in a variety of regular sizes, for example, small, medium, or large. These are especially good posture correctors if you’re in the process of losing or putting on weight for a specific sporting activity or other event.
Material
As mentioned above, posture correctors come in a variety of materials. The most common types are spandex, lycra, latex, rubber, and cotton.
Spandex, lycra, and latex models are very durable and easy to maintain. That said, some people can suffer from rashes and other skin irritation when exposed to latex for prolonged periods of time.
Rubber models are normally among the most reasonably priced. While not as durable as their above counterparts, they still hold up for long periods of time. Bear in mind that rubber is an acquired smell and you need to be sure that you can live with it before making a purchase.
Cotton posture correctors are durable and easy to maintain because they’re normally washing machine friendly. They’re also extremely comfortable.
Please note that they do not stretch and can absorb sweat meaning they’re not ideal for sporting purposes or for those who are wearing them for laborious work.
Support And Comfort
Comfort and support should be your main priority when choosing a posture corrector. After all, if you’re wearing a corrector for the whole day, you need to feel good in it.
It’s worth noting that if you are not comfortable in your posture corrector you will most likely stop using it before experiencing any life-changing results. Do not judge your support based on the way it looks as some of the less flattering models can often be the best.
Choose a model that comes with adjustable straps or elasticized sections that suit your frame. You should also ensure that the material you choose will not irritate your skin during prolonged use.
Adjustability
Having the ability to adjust your posture corrector will make a huge difference to your experience wearing it. If you opt for a corrector that is not tailored to fit your body shape, make sure that it comes with adjustable straps to avoid any discomfort.
Ease Of Use
Your posture corrector should be easy to put on, take off, and adjust according to your preferences. If your corrector is a nuisance you won’t feel as inclined to wear it.
While many modern models come packed with features these can actually be difficult to get used to so be sure you know about every functionality that your posture corrector comes with before making a final choice.
Reputable Posture Corrector Manufacturers
Aside from all the above specifications, it is important that you choose your posture corrector based on the manufacturer’s reputation. Some models are renowned for their durability, functionality, and sizing options, while others are not.
Below, we’ve highlighted five manufacturers that we know are admired within the posture corrector and back brace industry:
Voelux
Voelux is renowned for producing a range of high-quality posture correctors and braces. The company creates all its products with the aim of alleviating stress and tension in various parts of the body, specifically, the upper body area.
Voelux manufactures products that are made of durable and lightweight materials such as neoprene. They often come with adjustable features, and in a variety of sizes, including one size fits all models. Best of all, the company’s correctors are often very reasonably priced.
ComfyMed
This family-owned business is best known for designing, manufacturing, and marketing high-quality back braces among other posture correctors. Aside from being great value for money, the company prides itself on offering exceptional customer support.
ComfyMed posture correctors come in a variety of breathable materials and are designed to support people suffering from a huge variety of upper body problems.
From standard back braces to belts, and bras, the company produces support systems that are not only functional but also aesthetically pleasing.
Trinitas
Trinitas prides itself in offering its customers the highest quality activewear, accessories, and medical devices in the industry. The company aims to always provide a superior buying experience through great customer support and relief of pain and injuries.
Specifically designing lightweight models that are perfect for athletes of all kinds, Trinitas posture correctors are adjustable, strong, breathable, and above all, comfortable. Not only this, they’re extremely good value for money.
BAX-U
The BAX-U posture corrector systems are designed to promote better posture by preventing slouching and spinal degradation. They help improve your overall posture as well as the function of your muscles and spine.
Aside from being functional, these pieces were designed by Dr. Romina Ghassemi to be aesthetically pleasing.
BAX-U posture correctors pride themselves on being simple and subtle to wear while also being adjustable for various body types and effective tools for optimal posture.
The company’s posture correctors can be worn for anywhere between 30 minutes and 6 hours a day depending on the condition you have. Best of all, they’re barely detectable and reasonably priced.
Agon
Agon designs, manufactures, and sells specialized high-quality injury braces, posture correctors, compression support, as well as products to promote optimal pet health.
Specifically designed with a range of athletes in mind, Agon products are known for being comfortable and easy to use.
The company aims to provide effective therapy to people from the comfort of their homes without affecting their daily routines or having to take medicine to dull their symptoms.
All Agon products are designed individually to target specific conditions. Not only this, they’re affordably priced and provide you support without compromising on style.
Safety Precautions You Should Take When Using A Posture Corrector
As with any health-related product, posture correctors need to be used with a level of precaution in mind. If not used correctly, they can do more harm than good.
To help ensure that you do not make your injury or condition worse, here are some safety precautions you should consider being mindful of:
Posture Correctors Are Not To Be Worn 24/7
One of the most important things to know about posture correctors is that they’re not designed to be worn all day, every day. These support systems are designed to train your muscles to realign your back, not to take over from your muscles altogether.
By using a posture corrector for too long, you could actually make your condition worse. You may also find that your skin becomes irritated and that you start suffering from other negative symptoms across other parts of your body.
Talk To Your Physician If Your Symptoms Continue
While a posture corrector is a great aid when it comes to relieving back, neck, and shoulder pain, it should be used in conjunction with a trip to your physician.
It’s important that you use a posture corrector for the right reasons. Get the okay from your physician and pay attention to how your symptoms react to using one.
Ensure Your Posture Corrector Doesn’t Limit Your Range Of Movement
Your posture corrector should not hinder your level of physical activity. While they do take some getting used to, you should be able to go by your daily routine without hindrance. If your posture corrector does limit your range of movement, adjust it and relieve tension where necessary.
By limiting your range of movement in your back, neck, or shoulders, you could introduce new problems to your already debilitating condition. If you’re using one to undertake a specific sport or work duty, a corrector that is restrictive could hinder your performance.
How To Maintain And Clean Your Posture Corrector?
The way you maintain and clean your posture corrector will completely depend on the type of support you choose and the material it is made of.
Rubber posture correctors are easy to maintain because they can be wiped clean in the sink and do not absorb sweat or other smells. That said, they must not be exposed to prolonged periods of sunlight and can, of course, melt when left on hot surfaces.
Elasticated materials and cotton support devices are often washing machine friendly, but you must read the manufacturer’s guideline before doing so. They are easy to clean but can absorb unpleasant odors over time.
You should always keep your posture corrector away from pets and children. Lastly, do not share your posture corrector with a friend or family member as these should be used by the intended individual.
Finally…
Choosing a posture corrector can be difficult. It is important that you consider all the above in order to choose a model that is suitable for your specific needs and symptoms. You must also ensure that it is comfortable and easy to maintain.
If you’ve decided a posture corrector is what you need but don’t know where to start, check out our buying guide to find out more about some of the best models on the market today.
