There are various types of posture correctors such as posture bras and bands, spinal braces, posture shoes, supportive mattresses, pillows, and ergonomic chairs to name a few. Each product is only designed to help fix habitual postural movements, like slouching the shoulders forward or tilting the head forward when using a computer; any spinal deformities will not be fixed. An additional method to fix your posture is to exercise regularly to increase the flexibility and strength of the abdominals, back, and shoulders so that once the posture supports are removed, one can still maintain good posture.
The most common posture corrector is a spinal support brace to assist individuals who have trouble keeping their body straight when standing or sitting. These are not the same as the orthotics that a doctor might prescribe, which are made of harder materials in order to prevent any movement at all in the spine. Posture braces are generally soft, comprised of nylon straps, and should be worn over the shoulders. They push into the thoracic spine in the middle of the back, retracting the shoulders and straightening the neck and upper spine and forcing the chest out.
Similarly, posture bras and posture straps follow the same principle. Some individuals wear the support bands around their lumbar spine, or lower back, to prevent a hunchback posture, as well as provide extra support when lifting heavy objects. Unfortunately, studies have shown that most lower back supports do little regarding protecting the spine when one lifts heavy objects, but people still do it anyways.
If you work in an office and have to sit around all day, ergonomic desk chairs can do wonders for your posture by giving you the support you need to keep your back and neck straight. Exercise balls are another common type of ergonomic desk chair. These chairs assist the user by activating the muscles in the lower back and abdomen, preventing slumping and strengthening the muscles in the body. If you sit for long periods of time, you must endeavor to keep your back straight, in addition to getting up to stretch or taking a brief walk, in order to prevent bad posture and back pain.
A supportive pillow and posture mattress can help one fix their posture as well when resting. For a long time, people believed that stiff mattresses were good for one’s back, but that has now been disproved. Rather, a medium to soft mattress with excellent support is better. One should not only have a pillow for their neck, but place one beneath their knees as well. Doing this will keep the spine in a neutral position, which will cause less stress and discomfort especially if you have a back injury. The idea is to mimic the same shape as when one is standing upright with good posture.
Furthermore, some occupations are more physically demanding than others, and people in these occupations should consider wearing a posture brace to help them. For instance, both medical professionals and laborers are the most commonly injured people in the workforce and need additional support.