Shoulder Braces - Your Best Ally in Maintaining Proper Posture

We all want good posture. After all, good posture makes us look great, feel more energetic and project confidence. It also helps prevent injury and reduce back and neck pain. However, good posture can't be achieved in the blink of an eye. Good posture involves training your body to stand, walk, sit and lie in positions where the least strain is placed on supporting muscles and ligaments.

People often assume that just knowing to correct their posture is enough to achieve a change in their actual habit, but this isn't always enough. Our body uses learnt motor patterns to perform everyday activities. This means that when we sit, walk, stand or move, our body follows learnt motor patterns. In other words, if your body has learned to slouch, that is what it'll do.

One of the most effective ways to correct bad posture is a shoulder brace. While massages, exercises and other activities can help improve posture, these only offer a temporary solution to most people's problem. A shoulder brace, on the other hand, will hold your neck, shoulders and back in a straight position by lightly putting pressure on your muscles to keep them in place.

How Do Shoulder Braces work?

The main purpose of a shoulder brace is to hold the upper back, core and shoulders in the correct, upright position. The brace will put pressure on the muscles which, over time, will train your muscles to maintain the correct positioning. This will cause your muscle memory to improve as well as the structure of your back, neck and should. Wearing the posture corrector for even half an hour each day will provide huge benefits. In about 2 weeks, you will already start to see positive results. More than the visual improvements, your back and neck pain and discomfort may be up to 75% less.

Types of Posture Correctors

Different types of shoulder braces are available for different types of physical conditions. Using the wrong one may not help you achieve your desired posture goals and may even complicate or make things worse. Here are the different types of braces available and how they are used.

Cross-Back Elastic Brace

This is a very comfortable type of brace designed to support the clavicle, chest, and back, hence correcting your posture. Cross-back elastic brace is easy to use and works by pushing your chest forward. It can be easily found online or at a physical therapist's office.

Moulded Upper Back Brace

Similar to the cross-back brace, this type is a bit more uncomfortable to wear. That is because it features a metal or stiff plastic piece at the back that fits between your shoulder blades to keep your posture up. Although it's not as comfortable as a cross-brack elastic brace, a moulded upper back brace offers more support, which makes it more suitable for more serious cases of bad postures. Due to its bulky design, this brace may also be visible through your clothing, making it unsuitable for wearing outside the house.

Longline Back Brace

This brace is designed for individuals with the most extreme case of bad posture. It is also recommended for people with lower back pain. It provides support from the base of your neck to the top of your hip and can be adjusted to achieve the level of support you need. Simply said, it can support your entire back from top to bottom. Like the moulded upper back brace, its size makes it visible under clothing, so you might be limited regarding it outside the house.

Features to Look For in a Posture Brace

Before choosing a posture corrector, make sure that it fits you comfortably well. While it might take time for you to get used to this device, there shouldn't be any inconvenience. A high-quality brace will allow you to lead an absolutely health life without disturbing your everyday activities. You should be perfectly able to stand, sit, walk, run, and work in the office wearing it. The best posture corrector is the one that aligns the muscles of your body with least efforts from you.


How to Use a Posture Brace

Although a posture corrector is one of the best ways to improve your gait, if you misuse the brace, it could end up doing more harm than good. It is known that excessively using a physical brace can lead to back muscles weakening and becoming dependent on the brace support. This can cause even more damage to your posture. So, using the brace correctly is key. It is a good idea to consult your doctor or physical therapist for advice. After examining you, the specialist will recommend the best posture corrector to help improve your condition and will explain how to use them too.

The amount of time required to develop a healthy habit varies from individual to individual. Some adopt correct posture habits quickly while others need more time. While many posture correctors makers claim that you can get amazing results by just wearing the brace for 10 minutes daily, experts recommend to wear them for 30 minutes or even longer. Over time, the brace will start to correct your muscle aligment and strengthen, allowing you to use the device less. As previously mentioned, wearing the corrector for long hours can restrict spine movements, so wear your brace as long as it is recommended to get into a good and natural position.

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