9 Posture Correctors That Back Experts Recommend
Updated: May 10, 2021
Working from home can be nice, but your setup may not be very posture friendly. A posture corrector can help fix your spine alignment and prevent back pain.
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Should you buy a posture corrector?
While working from home has a lot of benefits, posture and spine alignment aren’t usually among them. Sitting in front of a computer all day already forces you to sit slouched over, and when you don’t have an ergonomic desk setup or you’re working from a couch, your posture pays the price.
“Not every home is fortunate enough to have a home office setup,” says Gbolahan Okubadejo, MD, board-certified spinal and orthopedic surgeon in New York and New Jersey. “With this limited space flexibility, those working from home may be forced to use their dining room chairs or other furniture that aren’t as ergonomically friendly as corporate setups.”
This might not seem like a huge deal, but if you continue to do it day in and day out, you may start to experience some pain from the damage being done. (Try these upper back stretches to alleviate some tension.)
“If poor posture goes unchecked, more people will likely suffer from chronic neck and back pain than the millions of Americans who already do,” says Dr. Okubadejo. “After more than seven months of working from home, bad posture, back pain, and the impact that working from home can have on spine health are growing concerns.” (Find out how bad posture can cause chest pain and other problems.)
If you’re experiencing extreme pain, it’s best to consult with a medical professional to discuss your options. But if you’re just starting to notice that your posture is suffering and you want to get it in check, consider a posture corrector. These are wearable devices that provide support and correct spine alignment so that you can improve your posture.
How do posture correctors work? “Some work as a brace, while others give feedback so that you can correct yourself,” says Cameron Yuen, a physical therapist at Bespoke Treatments Physical Therapy in New York City. “They all work to bring you to the ideal posture archetypal position, which isn’t exactly correct, but better than the non-ergonomic alternative.” (This is what it’s like to use a back posture corrector.)
Interested in giving one a try? Here are some posture correctors that can help alleviate back pain and correctly align your spine.
ORTONYX Comfort Posture Corrector
$55
If you’re looking for full back support, look no further. The Ortonyx posture corrector is equipped with support bars and is available in most sizes. “This will be a bit more fitted, but it can help support the shoulders, align the spine, support the lumbar region, and improve slouching and rounded shoulders,” says Dr. Okubadejo.
ComfyBrace Posture Corrector
$22
With the ComfyBrace posture corrector, the name says it all. Adjust the straps to fit your individual back, then wear it to help with mid and upper back issues and pain. It’s breathable and can fit chest sizes that range from 30 inches to 43 inches.
BetterBack Plus
$70
Suffering from lower back pain? Consider the BetterBack Plus. “The device is set up to restrict your back and legs, so that your legs are held at a 90-degree angle,” says Dr. Okubadejo. “And the right amount of support is applied to the lumbar region preventing slouching and curved pressure that then develops into pain and disc issues.”
ACE 208620-SIOC Posture Corrector
$22
Pull on this stretchy, neoprene ACE device, adjust the shoulder straps, and secure the hook and loop straps to secure everything in place. Wearing it will help you stretch out the shoulder and chest muscles. Over time, that will help you open up the front side of your body and correct your posture.
Upright Go Original Posture Trainer and Corrector
$80
Peel off the backing and stick this Upright Go device on your mid upper back, then download the connected app on your phone and let the device go to work. If you start to slouch or your posture becomes off, the device will vibrate to remind you to sit upright. It keeps track of your progress, too. So you can track and train how you’re doing. (Here’s what happens if you sit too long.)
Truweo Posture Corrector
$20
For those who have mild issues hunching over when they stand or sit at their desk, a simple and adjustable strap Truweo device may be enough to help train yourself for better posture, explains Dr. Okubadejo. “The key here is to not tighten the straps excessively to the point where you lose range of motion,” he says. Instead, “tighten them just enough to feel supported and become aware of the positioning of your spine.”
eDILA Posture Corrector
$15
This eDILA device is so discreet that you can wear it over as well as under your clothing without anyone even knowing you have it on. The padded straps are comfortable enough to wear for hours, and the material is breathable, too. It works to keep your back straight throughout the day.
Other similar correctors have vibration and timers built in to set off reminders to help you become more mindful of your posture.
Gearari Posture Corrector
$19
Give your neck, back, and shoulders some relief when you throw on this Gearari device. It’s perfect for those who sit at a computer all day and need to reverse the effects of hunching and slouching forward. Over time, wearing the brace can help improve your posture.
Donnie Thomsons Bowtie Spud Casual Posture Support Brace Corrector
$61
If you’re finding your shoulders more rounded than before, consider using this “bowtie.” It’s sized by bodyweight and the width of your shoulders. It sits on the outside of your shoulders and wraps around the back. That forces your shoulders to be pulled back and down, opening up the chest and putting you in an ergonomically correct position. Here’s how to improve your posture.
- Gbolahan Okubadejo, MD, FAAOS, board-certified spinal and orthopedic surgeon in New York and New Jersey
- Cameron Yuen, PT, DPT, CSCS, physical therapist at Bespoke Treatments Physical Therapy in New York, NY
Originally Published: November 24, 2020
