The Pros and Cons of Posture Support Braces

As baby boomers start entering the territory beyond middle age, a new phenomenon is becoming increasingly prevalent: the unattractive slump of aging posture.

We see this more and more around us. If you’re over the age of 45, or even just sit for long hours at your desk every day, you may even see it in the mirror. Judging from the rising number of searches on the internet for posture braces and posture correctors, this is an issue of increasing concern for many people.

Wouldn’t it be nice if correcting posture were as simple as purchasing a posture support brace? Unfortunately, although braces do have their place in posture back support, they are not sufficient to correct the underlying problem that leads to poor posture.

Important Cons of Posture Support Braces

Perhaps the most significant issue with posture support braces is the fact that they do not treat the cause of poor posture. 

Poor posture is caused by bad posture habits, which weaken core posture support muscles, cause the spine to become misaligned, and, over time, freezes your back into an imbalanced posture, putting unnatural strain on the body.

While at first a posture support brace might seem like the ideal way to relieve some of this strain and reverse posture decay, most posture correctors  do nothing to develop the muscles necessary to actually correct the root problem.

Weaker posture braces simply lose their effectiveness within 10-15 minutes, as your body adapts to the straps and fall back into its slump. Stronger posture support braces are not the solution either, however. If a posture brace is too strong, it can cause your muscles to weaken further, since it takes over what little job your muscles were still doing to hold up your body. Because strong posture braces eventually weaken posture support muscles, longterm use can lead to even greater back pain problems down the road.

The Pros of Posture Support Braces

This doesn’t mean that posture braces are completely without merit. Posture braces for the lower back can provide temporary protection for your lower back, particularly while you are healing from lower back pain. Just don’t use the brace permanently and make sure that you also do posture corrective exercises to permanently strengthen your lower back.

When it comes to braces that provide upper back posture support and shoulder support, the story is a little different. The main use of braces that provide posture support for your upper back is as a reminder to keep your posture straight. If you use the pressure of the brace straps to help you remember to straighten up, a posture support brace can be of great use. It will serve to remind your body of what good posture feels like, enlivening muscle memory for better alignment, and strengthening your core posture support muscles in the process.

In summary, you need to use a two-pronged approach to develop greater core posture support. Use corrective posture exercises to develop the muscles necessary to hold your spine in its natural position, and a posture brace to remind your body during the day what exactly that natural position is. When used as a gentle prompter to straighten up, a posture support brace can make every minute of the day an opportunity to strengthen your back and your core posture muscles.

You still have to do the basic work, however. Only you, no external posture aid, can help you strengthen your core support muscles, realign your posture, and gradually regain your natural postural grace. Given the long-term health benefits of retaining a good posture, however, it is well worth it.

 

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