Should I Get a Posture Corrector?

​Have you been looking for help with your posture? Have you thought about getting a posture corrector? Is it because of neck or back pain? You have probably been told that your posture is the problem. 
 
From my perspective, any one posture is not the problem. Several research studies conclude that there are not clearly defined "good" or "bad" postures nor does a specific posture cause pain. 
Our bodies are made to move. How you feel is based on how and when you move your body. You have to do the work. It is likely something easy for me to identify during an assessment for you to make a change over the long run to help with your problem.

​No device is going to correct your pain or save you from pain later down the road. There may be a problem such as a tightness, weakness, prolonged positioning, or something such as the neck, shoulders, or back not moving like they should. However, a device may help support you while you learn how to move or give you relief during an episode of pain. There is an inherent problem with posture correctors; they do the work for you. They hold you up so that your muscles do not have to. As a result, your muscles get weaker over time which leads to increased symptoms if you continue to rely on the device. 
 
Usually, the real solution to your pain is movement and variability. You need to get up every 30 min to an hour and walk around for 5 minutes. Changing positions often and stretching the front muscles while strengthening the back-side muscles to hold you upright will provide more benefit than just a posture corrector. The problem is that something is not working as it should, not that you need an external device to do your body's job. Remember, there is not a "bad" posture. There is a lack of variability. Even having "perfect" posture for 8+ hours a day could easily lead to pain. You have to move your body throughout its full range of motion. That is why I look at your full motion and other factors during an assessment. 
 
 If you still feel like a posture corrector will help you and would like to get one, just pick one. If you are still hesitant, reach out and ask me about specifics. 
 
If you think you have poor posture or poor ergonomics causing your pain, fill out the form below, call, or email me so we can chat about how to get you moving better and in less pain!

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