What is a posture corrector and when is it necessary?

Whether it's due to habit, illness, or improper furniture and tool design, we don't always keep our backs straight, our shoulders aligned, and our necks relaxed. For this reason, some people require a posture corrector.

But it is not just about aesthetics or elegance. We can be affected in various ways if we do not keep our back and neck in a good position that does not abuse the spine.

A posture corrector is a garment that allows you to maintain a firm position, while natural. In this article we will know what it is, how it works, when it is advisable to use it and what benefits it brings.

How can poor posture affect?

The spine has natural curves. However, sometimes there is misalignment caused by disease, trauma, physical problems, overweight, lack of sports activity or bad postural habit.

In this sense, there are several ailments that you can suffer from having bad body posture:

• Breathing difficulties, as it can complicate the passage of air into the lungs.
• Pain in the lower back that can intensify when you are standing or sitting for a long time.
• Cervical vertebrae involvement, so pain can occur in this area with stiff neck and shoulders.
• Deformity: not only in the back (hump), but also in the abdomen area.
• Stress and irritability for the pains.

Keep reading: Poor body posture and its effects on health.

What is a posture corrector?

Also called back posture corrector or shoulder, a posture corrector is a special kind of garment with orthotic functions.

It has been designed to exert a certain force on the back-shoulders-neck axis, maintaining a firm position and respecting the curves of the spine. All this allows making corrections, helping to modify the abnormal curvature, if any. In this way, a healthy and adequate posture is achieved.

How a posture corrector works

It's important pointing that a checker will help as long as it is part of a set of actions, within the framework of a therapy developed by a health professional.

Although there are several types, they all work under the same principle. The posture corrector is adjusted to the back, hugging the shoulders with strong elastic bands, forcing them to go backwards. The aim is to avoid bad positions, deformity and pain.

Once the neck, shoulders and back remain in the correct posture, the memory of the muscles is stimulated, helping to create a good postural habit. These are very important, because the concealer helps, but it cannot always be worn.

When is a posture corrector necessary?

A bad posture in the back can be due to different reasons: age, bad habit, injuries, natural deviations from birth or some pathology among other factors.

Either in order to prevent or correct, a posture corrector may be necessary in the following cases:

• When they exist deviations in the column, such as scoliosis.
• In people with degenerative diseases that affect the spine, such as osteoarthritis.
• Workers who are long time sitting.
• Employees who stand for several hours, such as shop assistants or salespeople.
• People who must lift weights or make continuous efforts.
• Some athletes.

In general, people with postural problems can use a corrector, especially if they spend time sitting, reading or watching television.

You may also be interested in: 4 positions that you must correct.

Tips to avoid bad posture

In addition to wearing a concealer, you can perform different actions to improve your posture when working, when you sit down to watch television or read, when walking or simply standing. Let's see.

While sitting

Once in a while change the position you sit in, to prevent the back from bending due to fatigue. Get up and walk around your workspace for a bit; stretches the muscles and moves the waist, back and neck.

While remaining in the chair, try to sit comfortably, with your ankles in front of your knees (never back), your feet flat on the floor (don't cross them). If you can, add a footrest.

Make sure your shoulders are relaxed and not slumped forwardKeep your back close to the chair and your thighs parallel to the floor. If necessary, use a pillow.

If you feel that the chair is not helping you or the position of the computer monitor, change whatever is necessary. Use a chair with an ergonomic design, suitable for your shape, weight and height.

When standing

Don't lean on your toes or heels. While you can, from time to time, rest one foot or the other, the ideal is that you keep the weight balanced. Also, the feet should be slightly apart, in line with the shoulders.

Of course, stand up straight at your full height. Always keep your shoulders back, your abdomen in, and your chest forward. Remember to always look straight ahead.

Strengthens the back muscles

Exercises for the lower back, such as squats, the bridge or planks, among others, are useful for strengthening those much-needed muscles when maintaining an upright posture.

Yoga also relaxes, de-stresses and stretches the back. It can help relieve pain, strengthen and become aware of your muscles and posture.

Precautions to consider

Back posture correctors provide a number of health and wellness benefits related to physical appearance, pain relief, and muscle tension. However, some recommendations should be taken into account.

For example, you have to be careful with its use in children who are of growing age. They should not be worn all day and should be supervised by a pediatrician.

In general, it is recommended that people use them at the beginning, at most, half an hour a day, gradually increasing. It must be remembered that the goal is for us to develop the capacity for the body to adopt the correct posture by itself.

We must not forget that a posture corrector cannot replace other treatments, such as physical rehabilitation and even an intervention if it is required. In case of injury, you should see a doctor.