A posture corrective therapy back brace is basically a wearable external device, which is designed to augment posture problems resulting from different medical conditions such as injuries and abnormal spinal development. Most back posture correctors are suitable for both men and women, and can be altered to size via the fastenings.

They are composed of a main back support that functions as a guide which applies pressure to the spine, inhibiting it to bend forward. This helps the muscles and the bones to develop correctly, resulting in a more pleasing appearance with regards to maintaining a straight upper body position.

Shoulder and abdominal straps are usually used to bind the muscles with the back support to pull the entire weight of the upper body, particularly the chest, outward. Some designs, on the other hand, use elastic fabrics that apply pressure on certain muscle groups that function as a girdle, which enhances the ability of the lower back muscles to support the weight of the entire upper body. Different designs that enable the wearer to put them on as if they were wearing an undergarment, which can be conveniently worn over or under clothing.

The best posture brace for you will take into consideration your daily movements, current positioning and how firm the fastenings have to be to do their job. A good posture corrector should give you results in less than two weeks.

	Bax-U Posture Support Brace
	Deluxe Clavicle
	Neo G Medical Grade Corrector
	Cincher Posture Brace
	EquiFit Shouldersback
	Ease Pain Kyphosis Dancing Belt

Why do I need a posture brace?

If you often suffer from recurring neck and back pains on a daily basis despite having no related injuries or otherwise, the chances are that your muscles are undergoing tremendous stress from handling the weight of the upper body. This is often caused by unavoidable seating positions and improper weight distribution related to your daily activities such as spending the whole day working at a desk along with other undergoing strenuous physical activities.

Applying the correct amount of pressure to certain points of the upper and lower back can greatly reduce the occurrence of muscle and back pains. The use of a posture brace on a daily basis can help develop the back muscles, and the spine’s ability to handle the tension exerted on it, reducing the chances of pain by as much as 75% after using it for a duration of about two weeks. This will eventually result in a straighter posture and give you more confidence as well.

How Does it Work?

Having an improper or bent torso usually means that your manner of movement is greatly reduced when concerning the efficiency that your body could perform. Along with this, blood circulation all throughout the body is slowed down because of the way the blood vessels are constricted on certain points of the back area, particularly the lower back. This leads to insufficient oxygen supply to the brain, leading to body fatigue.

Generally, there are posture correctors that are specifically used for aesthetic reasons such as attaining a straighter body. There are some models that serve a more therapeutic purpose such as relieving backaches caused by injuries or work-related back pains such as a desk job which requires you to sit every minute of the day. Most people who have started to wear posture braces discovered that their stamina had greatly improved, increasing their efficiency on what they do on a daily basis.

It can be said that the use has benefits other than giving users a straighter upper body, as it can also improve the way that they tackle their daily activities with improved vigor and confidence.

Here is an in-depth video showing you exactly how a posture corrector works and how you put it on:

 

Different Types of Posture Correctors:

Although the general function is to straighten the alignment of the entire spinal column to an upright position, some posture braces that have therapeutic applications which help people in recovering from specific back ailments caused by clinical conditions, injuries and other similar situations. Certain conditions that may require you to wear a posture corrector, and it is advised to consult a doctor, chiropractor or a physical therapist before considering wearing one.

Classic Posture Brace:

A posture corrector is a device usually worn by people who feel the need to do something about the way that they stand, as a majority of people have the natural tendency to “slouch”, making their backs arch. It also helps to correct the alignment of the back, which is being pulled down by the weight of the upper body, including the arms. When relieving weight is concerned, the whole idea of determining where the spine arches outward is where the posture brace was designed to be placed as to inhibit the spine from bending.

Most posture correctors are made with a durable plastic mesh that functions as a guide for the spine to follow. Binding the areas such as the shoulders and the lower rib area using fabrics is an efficient way of supporting the entire weight of the upper body. As the weight of the upper body is being pulled by the binding fabrics (in most cases, straps are used), the main support column of the back pushes the area below the cervical vertebrae, causing the spine to straighten up.

Posture Correction Shirt:

Posture correction shirts are considered to be one of the newest trends and are very light to wear while still providing an efficient way of straightening the back. Most are made from advanced fiber materials that have good elastic qualities while allowing ample amount of air circulation to give the wearer a comfortable fit.

Posture correction shirts are designed to be directly worn, just like regular shirts. The only difference is that the entire shirt is made from elastic fabrics, particularly on the abdominal area which functions similar to a girdle. The pressure exerted by the elastic fabrics gives the abdominal muscles, including the lumbar muscles, adequate support while the back portion of the correction shirt applies an equal amount of pressure that keeps the spine vertically straight. Most of the elastic fabrics put on this correction shirt are concentrated on its back portion, as to give more emphasis on applying pressure on the back muscles.

Posture Correction Devices/Apps:

With the rise in smart technology, there are now apps and electronic devices which can assist in improving your posture. They feel a lot less restrictive than shirts and braces and are less visible. They work by either vibrating when they detect bad posture, or via your smartphone by sending you a notification.

Most work as trainers, teaching you how to sit or stand for the long-term benefits. By improving your core and allowing you to see when you have bad posture, you will find yourself naturally adapting to the best positioning without forcing it then being lost if you aren’t wearing it.

Clavicle Brace Posture Support:

Clavicle brace posture supports are specifically made to aid in relieving the weight on the upper shoulders, particularly the collarbone (clavicle) as to keep it in perfect alignment with the arm muscles. Clavicle brace supports are usually prescribed to people who are currently recovering from certain muscle conditions such as fibromyalgia or similar associated with inflamed tendons and muscle pains that cause pain on the shoulders.

Clavicle posture brace supports are used to inhibit the movement of the shoulder muscles, along with the clavicle and the shoulder blade, to hasten the recovery of the affected area. Clavicle supports are designed to pull the entire chest area outward by binding the shoulder area using restraints such as adjustable straps. There are many variations of these types of designs, but the most common is the use of a simple harness configuration that is centered on the back, which holds the entire clavicle support together. The weight of the shoulder being pulled outward is used to compensate the pressure that is being applied on the back to straighten the torso of the wearer while stabilizing the movement of the shoulders as they recover from their injury.

Prenatal Cradle Posture Brace:

One of the most common causes of back and muscle pains for pregnant women is the increasing weight of their abdomens as they progress through their pregnancy. Considering that a pregnant woman increases her body weight by up to 25% during her entire term, the weight being carried by the spine and the pelvic bone increases on a weekly basis.

The use of a prenatal cradle is required to help carry the weight of the growing abdominal area, along with reducing the stress inflicted on the lower lumbar region. Prenatal cradle models work a little different from posture correction braces as the weight of the abdominal area is diverted from the lower back (lumbar) and transferred to the thoracic area (upper back). Most of the weight of the lower abdominal area is supported with a piece of fabric that functions like a sling while it is attached to the upper portion of the body.

This compensates the weight, reducing the pressure being incurred by the lower back while straightening the spinal column. It is quite an interesting way of using the weight of the abdomen to straighten the back while diverting the weight from the lumbar area, reducing the muscle and backaches commonly associated with weight gain during pregnancy.