Do Posture Correctors Work? Facts vs. Myths
We all spend too many hours in front of a computer screen, and not only while sitting at a desk. We sit on the bed, our couches, and the floor and that means bad posture, hunched shoulders, and twisted necks. We watch television slouched on the couch or in bed. Even when we sit in an ergonomically designed desk chair, eventually most of us start to round our shoulders and put our backs and necks in unhealthy positions.
All of that poor posture leads to pain and even injury to our bodies and posture correctors do work to improve posture. Some are strap type harnesses, others are more like full torso shirts with special support panels, and there are electronically controlled sensor styles that don’t have straps or supports at all. They are all designed to correct muscle imbalances and straighten posture. However, there are some misunderstandings about poor posture and how to correct it.
• Myth- Good posture is primarily about pulling your shoulders back and having your back straight.
• Fact- Good posture means keeping your natural curve while you are standing, sitting, and lying down. Your body needs to be in its neutral or natural position with a gentle curve in your lower back.
• Myth- Good posture only helps your bones, muscles, and joints.
• Fact- Good posture not only improves bones, muscles, and joints, it also improves breathing, circulation, and your nervous system. It can help prevent sciatica pain and accelerate healing for injuries, too.
• Myth- The longer you wear a posture corrector, the more it helps.
• Fact- You need to start wearing a posture corrector for short periods and increase the amount over time. You also need to take breaks from wearing one so your own muscles can learn to maintain good posture.
• Myth- You can continue wearing a posture corrector forever.
• Fact- Posture correctors should train your body to take over the job of maintaining healthy posture. It’s not a permanent fix. You may have to go back to using it periodically if you start to slouch again.
How Do Posture Correctors Work?
The simple answer is posture correctors improve your posture by pulling your shoulders back and restoring the proper curve in your back. They also prevent you from causing damage to muscles and joints. When your body is misaligned, it affects your muscles and ligaments negatively.
Posture correctors, made from neoprene or spandex bands, some with discs or rods for additional support, help you stand up straighter without rounding your shoulders. Some have back support pieces to help with spine support. The electronic type sends signals in the form of vibrations to your upper back when you start to lose proper posture.
The more complex answer involves body retraining to employ underused muscles more and overused ones less. For example, chest and neck muscles often become tight, and the abdominal muscles become weak when we slouch. Wearing a corrector rests the chest and neck muscles and strengthens abdominal muscles.
Correctors also allow us to improve our proprioceptive senses which just mean we are more aware of our body position so that over time, our body remembers how it feels to be in balance, and good posture becomes second nature.
How to Wear and Use a Posture Corrector?
While each posture corrector is different, the key to getting full benefit is following instructions from the manufacturer and from any of your medical professionals. Get a corrector that fits your body properly, make sure straps are flat and smooth on your body, and the placement is accurate. With units that allow adjustments, make changes until you feel comfortable and aligned.
Some correctors have you stand against a wall, so your spine is straight while you adjust straps and close the Velcro. Don’t wear it for more than 15 minutes when you first get it. Build slowly to a maximum of two hours. Be aware of changes in your body and try to mimic the changes when you aren’t wearing the corrector.
How Often Should You Wear a Posture Corrector and for How Long?
Most experts recommend starting off with between 15 and 30 minutes a day for three or four days a week. You can then increase the time periods and frequency. It’s smart to consult a doctor, physical therapist, or chiropractor if you have injuries. See what they recommend as to how often you should wear a posture corrector and for how long.
Each person has different needs depending on their activity level, condition, and posture tendencies. The best advice is to pay attention to your body and do what helps the most. Supplement the posture training with stretching and exercising to improve muscle strength and flexibility.
7 Best Posture Correctors for Women
#1) ComfyBrace Posture Corrector Back Brace - The ComfyBrace is a unique, orthopedically designed brace that supports your middle and upper spine and neck, shoulders, and clavicle.
It corrects your posture comfortably. You can even wear it under your clothes while you work or exercise, because it doesn’t inhibit free movement. Because it’s adjustable, it fits many body types and can be loosened or tightened as needed for different positions and activities.
• It takes pressure off overused muscles to relieve pain in back, neck, shoulder, and clavicle.
• The neoprene straps are adjustable and breathable and fit chest sizes between 30” and 43”.
• Start by wearing it 5 to 10 minutes each day and build to wearing it for an hour or two until your body takes over providing support.
• ComfyBrace will last because it’s made of top quality materials with expert craftsmanship.
• The company offers a lifetime replacement warranty.
The ComfyBrace Posture Corrector Back Brace is great because it trains your muscles to start working on their own. Your weaker muscles learn to take over and your overused muscles relax. The breathable material keep you cool, and the adjustment mechanism means you can change the tension and support.
#2) Vicorrect Adjustable Upper Back Brace for Clavicle Support - The multi-structural streamlined crisscross design works to open your shoulders while you sit, work, walk, or exercise.
You can change the amount of support by adjusting the tension of the straps under the bustline. The cross on the back supports those back muscles so they can work less.
• Pretty pink is ideal for women, shows less under clothes but can also be worn over lightweight or close fitting clothes.
• Easy to wear with adjustable front strap with Velcro closure.
• Available in two sizes for a better fit. Size small/medium fits people between 4’11” and 5’ 11” with a 25-35” under bust measurement and weights between 100 and 165 lbs. The Large/X-large fits people 5’7” through 6’6” with weights between 150 and 195 lbs. and under bust measurements of 33”-43”.
• The material is 90% polyester and 10% nylon. It’s lightweight, ultrathin, soft, and breathable for ultimate comfortable even in hot summer weather.
The Vicorrect Back Brace is great because its pink to look great over workout clothes or show through less under clothes. There are two sizes available to fit people of all stature, and an easy access front adjustment mechanism.
3) Upright GO 2 Posture Trainer and Corrector - takes a different approach to correcting poor posture. Rather than wearing a brace made of elastic straps, you wear a small sensor on your upper back which you sync to an app on your phone.
The app is designed to react whenever you slouch. The sensor vibrates to let you know to straighten your posture. Over time, you’re trained to correct your own posture.
• The sensor and system are discreet and easy to attach. Women can wear them with strapless clothes.
• The Upright Go app works with iOS and Android phones.
• The multisensory system’s sensitivity is adjustable to your specifications
• You can see your progress in real time and study progress reports to see how you are doing.
• Within two weeks, most people get dramatic results.
The Upright Go or Upright Go 2 Posture Trainer is great because it’s discreet and comfortable. There are no uncomfortable or restrictive straps or wearable braces involved. You simply wear a sensor on your upper back and use a smartphone app to change your behavior and track your progress.
#4) Truweo Posture Corrector For Men And Women - has a U.S. Patent pending for its unique design. The lightweight, easy to wear brace improves your posture, trains your body to maintain it and gives you confidence.
The universal fit works for men and women and can be worn discreetly.
• Easy-to-wear and fits anyone. Slip it on, stand with your back against a wall and adjust the straps for comfort.
• The materials, including high-density foam, are latex free, soft and comfortable.
• The brace can be worn over a lightweight T-shirt or under clothing.
• The design allows you to wear it discreetly. It won’t show under most clothing.
• The Truweo posture corrector only weighs 5.1 ounce.
• Strong, lightweight, and completely washable.
The TRUWEO Posture Corrector is great because of its lighter weight and breathable fabric. The high-density foam makes it easier to wear. For those sensitive to latex, this is a great choice, since its latex-free. Unless you wear something with a very open neck, the brace doesn’t show, so you can wear it at work, under workout clothes, or at home.
#5) Modetro Posture Corrector for Women - comes in three sizes, so the fit is great. The unique front load design and treatment plan help you develop proper posture, relieve pain, and support your back.
It’s made to wear while you sit at a desk, stand, or walk around and needs to be worn for two hours at a time.
• There are three sizes so fit is perfect, which makes wearing it more comfortable. The size is determined by the under bust measurement, and small is for 30 to 35 inches, medium is 36 to 43, and large fits people with measurements between 44 and 51”
• The front load design helps alleviate muscle strain and correct posture more comfortably.
• The posture corrector should be worn for two hours at a time and used twice per day. It’s not made to be used during exercise or athletics. Instead, wear it while you sit, stand, or walk to pull your shoulders back.
• Wearing it before running helps you establish and maintain spine alignment while you move.
The Modetro Corrector is great because it comes in three sizes, is made from comfortable, breathable material, and has a unique front load design. The back piece runs along your upper spine to support it. Their treatment plan includes wearing the brace twice per day until your own body takes over keeping you straight.
#6) Omples Posture Corrector for Women - fits most people because it comes in four sizes. It has a full body design recommended by medical professionals for anyone with scoliosis, back injuries, or poor posture.
The solid back supports your spine, and the adjustable straps correct your slumping shoulders.
• The Omples fits your entire torso rather than just your upper back and shoulders.
• The solid back piece has two flexible but supportive metal stays that run on either side of the spine to help support the backbone and keep you standing erect. The cinched piece at the waist promotes using your abdominal muscles.
• The four sizes, small, medium, large, and x-large fit most people. The sizes are determined by waist size rather than an under bust measurement. small fits 36-33 inches, medium 34-38 inches, large 39-41 inches, and x-large fits 42-46”.
• Because of the close to the body fit, this can be worn under clothes.
• It gives your entire torso support, rather than just your upper back and shoulders.
The Omples is great for correcting your posture and supporting your back when you have an injury or disc bulge. It can help with sciatica pain, improve muscle strength, and make you look more confident. Wear it for 15 to 20 minutes at a time when you first get it, but you can build up to about two hours of wear at one time.
#7) VANRORA Posture Corrector for Women - supports your back muscles and spine and helps straighten your shoulders to the neutral or natural position.
It’s unique in that it has two adjustable straps, one at the waist and one at the chest. There are two sizes that cover most body sizes.
• It has two support bars that run within the supportive fabric on either side of your spine to support back muscles and help you stand straight. This takes pressure off overused muscles and bulging discs that can cause sciatica pain.
• By wearing this posture corrector, underused muscles are forced to engage, so sore back muscles can relax. Over time your body learns which muscles to use to maintain good posture.
• There are two straps and two sizes to make the support highly customizable. The small/medium fits people with waists between 25 and 35 inches. The large/x large fits waists between 39 and 49”. By adjusting the two straps, and securing them with Velcro, the posture correctors can fit your body precisely.
• This corrector is made to be worn over your clothes, making it easy to put on and take off quickly.
• The fabric is soft, durable, and breathable so you don’t get hot.
The Vanrora Posture Corrector is great because between the two sizes, and two adjustable straps, you can fit it to your body for maximum support while you wear it. The extra support your back gets from the panel and bars helps relieve back pain and retrain your body to take over the job the brace is doing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I wear a posture corrector while exercising?
Some braces that are made from breathable materials and don’t restrict your movement can be worn while you exercise. Some can be worn under workout clothes. More restrictive braces don’t let you move freely enough. Instead of wearing it during exercise, wear it before you work out, so your posture is correct during your efforts.
Can posture correctors help with sciatica?
Sciatica pain is caused by a disc, the spongy piece between sections of your spine, presses on a nerve. While most supports help somewhat because better posture helps prevent bulging discs, some correctors do more to help. Models that have larger central back pieces and stays or bars will help keep your spine in a healthy position.
Is it better to wear a brace over or under clothes?
Do what’s comfortable, but when you wear it over clothing, make sure you choose light-weight breathable fabrics. Prevent creating bunched fabric or wrinkles under the straps or support panels. If your skin reacts to the materials, find t shirts or exercise clothes you can fit under the straps or the brace.