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We live in a world that has us primed for slouching. Oftentimes we are hunched over our phones, craning our necks as we check texts, and tilting our heads as we scroll through Instagram. We spend hours at work sitting at desks that may not be suited for our bodies, shoulders rounded towards our computer screens, spine crunched in a less-than-comfortable position. Perhaps we slump over the steering wheel while driving, or wear backpacks and satchels that place too much pressure in the wrong places.
There are so many factors in our lives that can create less-than-optimal posture, which is why there are so many posture correctors on the market. People are looking for tools to support their bodies without having to constantly think about it throughout the day.
Why it's good to have "good" posture:
First off, maintaining your best posture is not just great for adding inches to your frame, it will prevent you from experiencing various aches in your daily activities.
"When your body's in good alignment, your spine and your joints are stacked in a way that doesn't pull or strain your muscles or ligaments and cause pain," says Annie Chin, DPT, OCS, CSCS, a physical therapist at Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation at Cedars-Sinai.
Sustained misalignment can lead to back, neck, and shoulder pain, tension headaches, as well as degenerative joint damage. If you're into sports, dancing, working out, or playing with your kids in the backyard, misalignment can put you at a higher risk for injury — or a least prevent you from moving efficiently with more ease and comfort.
What's more, poor posture can restrict your breathing which is vital for your physical and mental health. "If you're in a really slouched posture, it doesn't allow for your lungs to expand properly and it's really hard to take a deep breath" says Chin.
So being mindful of your posture can reap major health benefits. But be aware that not everyone's "ideal" is going to look the same. "Not everyone has perfect posture, but you want to get as close as you can to ideal," says Chin.
For example, if you are someone who has scoliosis, you might not be able to maintain the picturesque posture you see in the magazines. The goal is to achieve what's optimal for you.
But do posture correctors even work?
In short: it depends.
"So we've had mixed results with posture correctors," says Peter G. Passias, MD, FAAOS, an orthopedic spine specialist at the New York Spine Institute who's worked with patients on finding them the best support.
According to him, posture correctors are more helpful for people who just have poor habits. "Patients with abnormalities in posture, rigid deformities of the spine — such as severe spondylosis or instability of the spine — these are patients where we feel that posture devices are not necessarily going to treat the the diagnosis that's resulting in the symptoms," he says.
So if you don't have any of those conditions, and you're looking to ease your aches and pains, a posture corrector (used in short bouts) may help to remind you of proper alignment and create a new normal for your body. "But ultimately, research has shown that exercise is going to be your best bet," says Chin. "Getting a routine of stretching or strengthening, focusing on upper body and core will help. You want to train your muscles so that you can actively use them to carry over into your daily posture."
In the case that you still want to explore the world of posture correctors, it's important to note that a lot of them have not had formal clinical trials, so it can be difficult to pick out which ones are actually effective. And everyone's posture issue is different. You may pick out one of the top rated posture correctors on Amazon, read the reviews to find out it changed Chuck and Sally's life, only to find out it makes your pain worse. "I don't recommend just going out and buying something without some type of guidance," says Dr. Passias.
Finding the right posture corrector can take some trial and error. So to potentially minimize the frustration and wasted time dollars on your end, we asked Dr. Passais to help us evaluate some of the best posture correctors online. Remember, before you give any a try, it's important to check with your doctors.
Good for: mid to upper back, neck,and shoulder support
This is one of the most popular products on the internet. Customers say that it fits very well under t-shirts, but Dr. Passias says it's a bit bulky on the back end. If you have a smaller frame, you might find it a bit irritating around the clavicle.
Good for: mid to upper back, neck, and shoulder support
This posture corrector provides significant support, according to Dr. Passias. It's design comes with an auxiliary bar that runs along the thoracic spine. The adjustable straps are wide and don't slide around as easily.The one thing about this corrector is that it looks a bit bulky so it may not hide under clothing very well.
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Good for: mid to upper back, neck, and shoulder support
RiptGear's design is more discreet than some posture correctors. So if you're looking for something that can hide beneath your shirt, this might be your pick. It has adjustable straps that customers claim are easy to use. It's unisex, butonly comes in one size.
Good for:mid to upper back, neck,and shoulder support
This low profile design is easy to put on: you can adjust the fit using the velcro straps, although some people complained of armpit chafing despite fiddling with it.This posture correctorprovides decent support, says Dr. Passias, but it's more robust material may cause sweating and irritate the skin overtime.
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Good for: mid to upper back, neck and shoulder support
While this one is not great for those who need extra support, it would lookgreat with most sports bras. Since this product is not as rigid as some other brands,it could be good for your next workout.
Good for: lower back support
This model is suited for activity, so if you're looking for more support of the lumber spine while you're at the gym or on the tennis courts, you might want to give this one a look. Dr. Passias, however,wouldn't recommend this one for those who are looking for relief for thoselong desk days.Copper Fit Advanced Back Prohas adjustable straps so you can alter the amount of compression, and you can choose between two different sizes. This productalso has a 30-day money back guarantee, so you don't have to worry about wasting money if it's not working out for you.
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Good for: lower back support
Mueller's design is more rigid than some other brands. It comes with a removable lumbar pad in case you want more concentrated compression of the lower spine. This isn't a model that you should use when you're more active (if you're lifting or playing sports). Still, it's extremely affordable and might be suited for those days you're stuck in front of your computer.
Good for: lower back support
This is one of the more pricey lumbar support braces. It's less restrictive than the Mueller, so this could be a good choice for you if you want something you can move in a bit more.Dr. Passias claims this one is very commonly used, but it's not super resilient. The reviews agree: some say it works well but that the velcro wears off and that the material stretches out. This one is not recommended for those with larger frames.
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Good for:lower to upper back, shoulder, and neck support
Priced at under $30, this one is great for those on a budget.FlexGaurd's modelis better for more intense activities, not for when you're sitting around. It's a bit bulky though, so it's not going to be the most discreet when it comes to fashion. Some people complained about chafing under the arms, but most were happy with the fit. This posture correctorcomes in four different sizes.
Good for: lower to upper back, shoulder, and neck support
Just to set things straight, we didn't include this one because of the magnets. There is currently no research that says that magneticposture correctors are more effective. However, it is affordable, and many reviewers seem to find that it's comfortable and supportive. The company claims that this brace can be used to correct scoliosis, but Dr. Passias says it should not be used to treat that condition.
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Good for:lower to upper back, shoulder, and neck support
This is one of the more user-friendly products we've seen for lumbar and thoracic support. It comes in four different sizes and you can pull on the straps to change the fit. However, some taller individuals seemed to think it was too short for their liking.
Adele Jackson-Gibson
Senior Editor
Adele Jackson-Gibson is a certified fitness coach, model, and writer. She earned her master's in Journalism from NYU, her bachelor's in Literature from Yale University, and has since written for various sports, fitness, beauty, and culture outlets.
