Medicine
Fact-checked

At TheHealthBoard, we're committed to delivering accurate, trustworthy information. Our expert-authored content is rigorously fact-checked and sourced from credible authorities. Discover how we uphold the highest standards in providing you with reliable knowledge.

Learn more...

How do I Choose the Best Posture Corrector?

Dan Cavallari
Dan Cavallari

If poor posture is causing you back pain, it's time to consider the many posture corrector products on the market. Some posture corrector products are designed as harnesses or back supports, while others come in the form of bras, pillows, braces, chairs, and even exercise equipment. Before choosing to purchase any posture corrector, however, it is important to understand that these products, while effective to a large degree, cannot do the job alone; you must commit to a regular routine of stretching and exercise to ensure the muscles that support the spine are strong enough and conditioned enough to do their jobs properly.

The first step in choosing the best posture corrector is to analyze your daily routines and habits to identify what might be causing or contributing to your poor posture. For many people who work at desk jobs, the way in which they sit at their desks can lead to poor posture and back pain. An ergonomic chair may help improve posture in this case. Such chairs feature lumbar spine support to keep the lower back from slumping backward, and neck support to keep the neck and shoulders from slouching. Adjustable armrests can help keep the arms and shoulders in proper position to prevent undue strain when typing and when looking at a computer screen for long periods of time.

Typing with a twisted body posture can cause spinal deformities.
Typing with a twisted body posture can cause spinal deformities.

A posture brace is an effective posture corrector, but it can be somewhat uncomfortable after long periods of use. Such a brace is often made of Lycra®, which is a stretchy, soft, breathable material that fits snugly around the area in need of posture correction. Some braces are designed to pull the shoulders back, while others are designed to keep the lower back in proper position. Some braces accomplish both tasks by wrapping around the entire upper body. Choose one that fits snugly, but choose one that is also breathable and will allow sweat and moisture to escape through the material to enhance comfort.

A posture brace.
A posture brace.

Exercise equipment is perhaps the best posture corrector one can purchase. Stability balls, free weights, and even multi-purpose home gyms can help strengthen the muscles that support the spine. Exercising core muscles is especially important, since these are the muscles that are primarily responsible for supporting the spine. These muscles include the stomach, groin, hip, and lower back muscles. The stronger these muscles get, the more efficient they will become at keeping the spine in proper position throughout the day.

Discussion Comments

anon998391

There is a pin that you wear on the chest of your shirt that vibrates when you begin to slouch. I don't remember now where I saw it and never did order one. It may have been on that show called "Shark Tank" and someone's invention on the show.

anon934346

I have found the bodyaline posture exercise machine is much better solution than posture braces. A brace made my posture worse when I stopped wearing it. The body-aline actually retrains posture muscles unlike a brace.

anon325449

Every time I walk through a doorway, I pull my shoulders back.

LisaLou

I have never had to wear any kind of back posture brace, but do concentrate on my posture - especially when I am at work.

Most of my job is sitting at a desk and being on the computer all day long. I have a small pillow that I keep right behind my back that helps me sit up straight in my desk chair.

If I don't use this pillow, I find myself slumped over and my neck and shoulders get really tense.

It also helps if I get up every hour or so and walk around. I have read more than one health article that talks about how a full time desk job can take its toll over time.

Sitting at a desk and staring at a computer screen all day long is not really the best for our bodies. Many people don't have a choice when it comes to this, but you can choose to sit correctly and make sure you take frequent breaks.

John57

One of my friends has a history of back problems, and has the straightest posture of anyone I have ever seen.

This has been because of a conscious effort and to avoid pain. She always has to sit in a hard chair and cannot slump down in any kind of chair or couch.

At one point she wore a posture corrective brace to help keep her spine straight. This was not a flimsy corrector, but a heavy duty brace that was very uncomfortable and awkward.

She had to wear this for a few months, but still has to watch how she sits and walks. For her, having good posture is much more than just how she looks.

She would be in constant pain if she sat around like most people are able to do.

golf07

I have never had great posture, and the older I get, the more I realize how important good posture is.

I was looking at posture correctors online and ordered an inexpensive one that had a few good reviews. I had the hardest time even figuring out how to wear it and put it on.

It was not an easy thing to figure out or to wear. It was also very light weight, so I don't think it did any good at all.

The only thing it did when I was wearing it was help me stay more conscious of how I was sitting and what my posture was like.

I did find myself getting up and moving around more and making sure I wasn't sitting at my desk with my shoulders hunched over all day long.

That was worth something, but I don't think the corrector itself was worth the money. It is another one of those things that sits at the back of the closest and never gets used.

StarJo

@Perdido – I also figured that the best way to correct my posture was to establish a good workout routine. I bought a stability ball, and I know this was a good investment.

For one thing, it keeps me from relying on products that are designed to help you only while you are wearing or sitting in them. Exercise corrects the source of the problem, rather than putting a bandage on it.

With the stability ball, I was able to do abdominal and back exercises with a large range of motion. I wasn't limited to the up and down motion of crunches or situps. I could twist all around and work from every angle.

seag47

I have a bra that corrects my posture, though this is just a side benefit and not its original intention. I bought it to help hold my straps in place.

It seems that my bra straps are always falling off my shoulders, no matter how I adjust them. This is a problem in summer, when I wear sleeveless dresses.

The bra has a removable clip that attaches the two straps together across my back. This also pulls my shoulders back, and I can't help but have good posture while wearing this bra.

Wearing it has really made me aware of the way I usually sit. I'm glad I bought it now, so that I can correct my posture problems before I get any older and have issues with them.

cloudel

I started having posture issues after I began working lots of overtime at my desk job. I wanted my workplace to buy me an ergonomic chair, but they said it wasn't in the budget. They told me I was free to bring my own chair, if I wished, but I didn't have one that offered posture support.

So, I did a couple of other things to improve my posture at work. I raised my monitor up on a stack of books so that it would be at eye level and I wouldn't have to slump while reading it. I also got the eyeglasses I so desperately needed so that I wouldn't have to lean forward to see what was on my screen.

These changes helped out a lot. I am now able to sit up straight and work rather comfortably.

Perdido

I wore a posture corrector back brace for awhile to help ease my lower back pain, but it was too constrictive. When I wore it, I felt like I wasn't getting to use my abdominal muscles enough.

I became afraid that I would lose muscle tone because of my reliance on the brace, so I got rid of it and started a workout routine. I focused on my abdominal muscles, because I wanted to be strong enough to hold the correct posture on my own.

I did a lot of dance exercises that utilized the abs. It was a lot like doing crunches, but I got to do them while standing. It also involved twisting, holding, and rotating, and I got to do it all to a dance beat.

My lower back pain went away once my muscle tone started improving. I now need no additional support to be able to have good posture.

Post your comments
Login:
Forgot password?
Register:
    • Typing with a twisted body posture can cause spinal deformities.
      By: Image Source IS2
      Typing with a twisted body posture can cause spinal deformities.
    • A posture brace.
      By: Gennadiy Poznyakov
      A posture brace.
    • A stability ball can be used to increase muscles to better support the spine.
      By: mellsva
      A stability ball can be used to increase muscles to better support the spine.
    • Posture exercises strengthen the muscles of the back and neck.
      By: Christos Georghiou
      Posture exercises strengthen the muscles of the back and neck.
    • Poor posture can lead to a variety of spinal issues.
      By: Felix Mizioznikov
      Poor posture can lead to a variety of spinal issues.