Back braces, also known as back supports, are categorized into immobilizing, corrective, or supportive. Corrective braces are used to treat kyphosis or idiopathic scoliosis. Immobilizing and supportive braces are used as a result of an injury. The treatment of injuries with a brace is controversial among medical personnel. Many believe that using a brace will cause the muscles to weaken, or the patient may become dependent on the brace. However, others think that it brings back full function sooner. Documented studies have shown improvement in more than one half of patients with lower back pain.
A properly worn back brace helps the wearer to achieve proper posture. If someone is wearing a brace, there is increased awareness of the position of your shoulders, pelvis, and lumbar spine. It’s a reminder to the person to avoid slouching and improper posture. Your shoulders and abdominals will be in proper alignment. If you have slumping shoulders, poor posture, or weak scapula muscles you may need a brace.
Working and spending more time on our computers has made more people than ever suffer from poor posture and neck and back problems. That in addition to carrying backpacks and briefcases takes a toll on posture. Wearing a back brace for posture has many benefits including
- Looking 10 lbs. lighter
- Looking 2 in taller
- More confident overall appearance
- Reduces injury to your shoulders, knees and hips
- Reduces stress on the joints in the spine.
Your ears, shoulders, hips, knees and ankles should all be in alignment. You should be able to hang a plumb line from the ear and the string would hang thru the middle of the ankle.
The Posture Support – Posture S’Port back brace for posture not only helps you keep your shoulders from slumping, it will also keep your spine in proper alignment. It can be worn over or under a shirt. It has criss cross straps that work like elastic suspenders that pull the shoulders and lower back to reduce shoulder and back pain. The straps that go under the arm are made of elastic covered with cotton fabric that won’t pinch. The waistband is adjustable.
The ITA-MED TLSO (Thoracic Lumbo Sacral Orthosis) Posture Corrector
provides more firm support than the Posture S’port Posture Support. It is a doctor recommended back brace for posture and provides abdominal support, middle and upper back support, and lumbo-sacral support.
A Clavicle Splint
is made of urethane foam to provide proper immobilizing. It has straps with Velcro straps. There are buckles on the pad that are used to adjust tension. It comes in 5 sizes
- x-small for infants
- small for children
- medium for youth and small adults
- large for adults
- x-large for large adults
It is made of urethane foam to provide proper immobilizing. It has straps with Velcro straps. There are buckles on the pad that are used to adjust tension. This is a good back brace for posture.
An Upper Back Support Brace fits over the back and around to the midriff and hooks at the waist in the front. It is made with Lycra Spandex powernet and nylon to firmly hold shoulders back so they are aligned with the abdominals.
A Clavicle Strap by Procare
is made of foam padded shoulder straps and an adjustment closure to prevent the straps from slipping. This back brace for posture is used for clavicle fractures as well as to straighten posture while sitting or standing.
The Oppo Back Brace for Posture is made of polyester, nylon, and rubber with a Velcro closure for adjustment. Two straps go around the shoulders and a third wraps around the midriff to securely close and adjust for proper fit.
A Posture Corrective Brace reduces slouching and hunching. It is made to adapt to your shape using non elastic straps and Velcro fasteners to adjust pressure and support. It doesn’t dig into the underarm area and has terry cloth protectors to keep back dry.
Jobar Magnetic Back and Shoulder Support that is comfortable even when worn under clothes. It has 12 magnets strategically placed down the center of the back and across the lower back. The support straps wrap around the front of the shoulders to hold them back for correct posture.
ShouldersBack Posture Support Brace
is a lightweight vest like brace that holds your shoulders back to improve your posture. Wearing the brace just an hour a day will retrain your muscles for better posture. The lightweight fabric “breathes” so you’ll stay cooler. It can be worn discreetly under clothes if you want to wear it for a longer time.
When you are purchasing your brace, make sure it is the proper fit. If your support doesn’t fit right it could actually worsen the effects on the spine. Do exercises to strengthen your back and help in improving your posture. Stretch two times a day to keep limber. Be mindful of your posture and before you know, it will be second nature.