Every parent tells their child to stand up and quit slouching. Well, your nagging mother was onto something. Good posture supports good overall health and well being.
As an adult, do you suffer from chronic neck and back pain? It could be lifestyle induced. Sitting for several hours a day hunched over a computer can create a postural strain on our neck and back.
A posture corrector may be the key to reduce your pain. Here are 7 tips on wearing a posture corrector for beginners.
Wearing a Posture Corrector the Right Way
Some posture correctors are meant to be worn all day long. It’s best to make sure you are wearing it correctly so that it is comfortable. Other models can be worn for a few hours at a time.
When choosing a model style, select the one that is the most comfortable for your body. You probably won’t use it for long if you don’t find it comfortable to wear.
Look for a posture corrector that is adjustable so that it fits correctly. We all have different sized and shaped bodies and posture correctors should not be a one-size-fits-all product.
Consider purchasing a posture corrector with padded straps if you will be wearing it for a long time. Padded straps add an extra layer of comfort.
Also, ask how to clean your posture corrector. A posture corrector maintenance may be as simple as throwing it in the washing machine while others need to be hand washed or dry cleaned.
Key Tips
1. Read reviews online before you buy it. Take a look at the pros and cons of each one and what other people said about the fit and comfortability.
2. Your doctor or physical therapist may be able to suggest a model that will work for you.
How Does It Work?
A posture corrector is a device that you wear to help improve your posture or your body’s alignment. The way you sit, stand, walk, or even sleep can all affect your posture.
Posture is usually overlooked by most people but it can have a great impact on our body’s circulation, pain, and even our energy levels.
Having good posture involves training yourself to stand, sit, walk, and lie in a manner that puts less strain on your muscles and ligaments.
Experts agree that a corrective brace such as a posture corrector can help retrain your body to have correct posture. Sitting at our desks for long periods can cause muscle deterioration and force our bodies into uncomfortable postures. We loose alignment of the body and the results are usually painful.
A posture corrector fixes this by reminding our bodies to sit with proper posture when it is being worn. Wearing while sitting or standing during the day, a posture corrector begins to realign your body into its natural position and takes the strain off your muscles and may reduce back pain.
Key Tips
3. Use a lumbar pillow or a small rolled-up towel to help maintain the natural curves of you back when you are seated at your desk.
4. Sit forward at the front of the chair vs. into the chair to have the correct posture.
Benefits of Posture Correctors
There are lots of benefits to having good posture. Having good posture allows you to develop strength in areas of your body that are experiencing pain. These areas such as the lower back, shoulders, upper back, and neck will all feel less stiff after your posture is corrected.
Correct posture can also boost your energy levels and help you breathe better. It gives you proper form when you are sleeping or doing physical exercise, so you are less likely to get injured. And a person with good posture usually appears taller and more confident.
There are many ways good posture can contribute to your overall health and well-being. If you have trouble, remember to stand or sit with proper posture, this is where a posture correcter comes in. It gives you the gentle reminder you need to maintain good posture whenever it is worn.
There are home exercises you can do as well to encourage better posture. Your physical therapist can recommend specific exercises for you.
Key Tips
5. Training yourself to adopt a new posture can have many benefits for your health, including reducing neck, pain, and shoulder pain.
6. Use the Flat Wall Test to see how far off your posture is from a neutral position.
How Long Should I Wear One?
Most posture corrective devices work by pulling the shoulders back into a neutral position by your side. These devices correct a poor stance exactly as they say they will, but they also do all the work for your body.
Wearing one of these devices will give you proper posture without even having to think about it.
Sounds great right? Wrong! If you wear these devices around the clock, it defeats the purpose. A quality posture corrector will allow your muscles to become stranger and learn their new alignment on their own.
The best posture corrector will have you use it less and less each day, and you build up strength. Look specifically for a device that allows you to build up your strength while holding your posture in a neutral position so that you don’t become reliant on the device.
If you are rehabbing your muscles after a surgery or injury you will have different requirements from someone who was not injured.
Be sure to ask your doctor or physical therapist how long your device should be worn.
Key Tips
7. The time it takes to correct posture may be different from person to person. Make it a habit to practice good posture each day and if you have been injured follow your doctor’s advice.
The Takeaway
Your Mother was right! Good posture is important. It can significantly increase your overall health, well-being, and even confidence.
Wearing a posture corrector could help you retrain your body into a more neutral position and reduce muscle pain.
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