From sitting at your desk typing away to doom-scrolling on your phone – it’s easy to fall into a slouched position without even realising it. This is why many people are choosing to use posture correctors to help them sit up straight. But why is our posture so important, and do posture correctors work? Let’s take a closer look at the science behind them.
If you’re concerned about your posture and the effect it may be having on your body, book an appointment with A Pinch of Prevention today and speak to one of our friendly physiotherapists in Mt Gravatt. Preventative healthcare is at the core of what we do, so let us equip you with the knowledge and skills to prevent future problems.
Good vs Bad Posture – Why Posture is Important
Good posture is when you stand or sit straight, with your shoulders back and your head in a neutral position. This maintains the natural curvature of your spine, taking stress off your muscles and ligaments.
Bad or poor posture, on the other hand, is when your head drops forward and your shoulders round forward. This position sends a signal to the brain that activates the Sympathetic Nervous System (also known as the flight or fight response).
Some of the health issues that can arise from prolonged poor posture include:
- Anxiety and depression
- Digestive problems (such as bloating and constipation)
- Gallbladder problems
- Hair loss
- Headaches
- High blood pressure
- Hormonal imbalances
- Low immune system
- Salt and sugar cravings
- Sensitivity to light and sound
- Shoulder and neck muscle tightness
- Sleep issues (such as light sleeping and vivid dreams)
- Thyroid imbalances
- Uterine fibroids
Maintaining good posture, on the other hand, can help to prevent pain, reduce your risk of headaches, improve breathing, and boost your mood and energy levels. We’re sure that you can see why good posture is so important!
What Are Posture Correctors?
A posture corrector is a wearable device that helps you maintain a healthy posture by bringing your shoulders and spine into proper alignment. Some correctors are tech-enabled, which allows them to provide real-time feedback and remind you to maintain good posture.
Available posture correctors include back braces, lower back straps or belts, shirts or vests, and kinesiology tape.
While most correctors are designed to be put on yourself, others (such as kinesiology tape) may require the assistance of a physiotherapist. It’s important that you have carefully followed the instructions to ensure that you are wearing the device correctly, otherwise, it may do more harm than good.
Give It To Me Straight – Do Posture Correctors Work?
Ultimately, researchers are still unsure about the long-term effects of using posture correctors – there is some concern that wearing them for extended periods can lead to over-reliance and muscle weakness. Therefore, they are not considered a permanent fix for slouching.
They should only be worn for a few hours a day to avoid the corrector doing all of the work for you. The aim is to promote postural awareness without relying on the support – once you take the corrector off, the goal is for you to maintain a healthy posture.
How Can I Improve My Posture Without a Posture Corrector?
There are other ways to improve your posture without using a posture corrector. Some of our recommendations include:
- Setting up an ergonomic workstation with an office chair with lumbar support along with a desk and computer at the right height.
- Keep changing positions while sitting.
- Stretches and exercises that strengthen your back, shoulders, and core (such as supermans, high planks, and doorway chest stretches).
- Workout classes like yoga, pilates, and barre.
- Taking short, active breaks throughout the day (such as taking a walk around the office every couple of hours).
- Mentally check on your posture every 30 minutes.
- Make an appointment with a physiotherapist to discuss your specific posture concerns and ways to mitigate them.
Posture Correctors Are Not the Only Answer
Although posture corrects are designed to help you sit or stand up straight, they should not be viewed as a permanent solution for slouching. Instead, they can be used to promote postural awareness and train your muscles to maintain good posture on their own.
If you’re experiencing back, shoulder, or neck pain that you believe is a result of poor posture, book an appointment with the team at A Pinch of Prevention today. We will be able to help determine the cause of your pain, create a treatment plan to help you manage it, and provide some tips on ways that you can improve your posture going forward.
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