First, the bad news: Our modern lives are not super conducive to proper posture. I’d venture to guess the majority of us spend a good part of our days hunched over in front of our computers and phones. (Amiright?)
And that’s not great since slouching or bending your spine in strange ways all the time can hurt you physically and psychologically, says Dave Smith, a postural alignment specialist and consultant for the San Francisco 49ers, many NCAA players, and the U.S. Women's Tennis Association. Bad posture can make your muscles imbalanced, weak, or too tight, which can lead to pain, degenerative joints and discs, injuries, and even osteoarthritis, he says.
Now for some good news: There are ways to undo some of the damage. Over the long-term, “it will be more beneficial to strengthen and stabilize the postural muscles,” says Lisa Mitro, doctor of physical therapy who specializes in helping athletes reduce pain and prevent injuries. (Pro tip: Check out this posture workout!)
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Meet the experts:
Lisa Mitro is a doctor of physical therapy who specializes in helping athletes reduce pain and prevent injuries.
Dave Smith is a postural specialist who specializes in treating chronic musculoskeletal pain. He serves as a consultant for teams and players in the NFL, NCAA, ATP, and WTA, helping athletes heal from injuries and improve performance.
Pamela Mehta, MD, is an orthopedic surgeon and an expert in the treatment of sports injuries and joint arthritis. She has held the position of chief of orthopedics and national orthopedic director for a large hospitalist group, and serves as a medical advisor to a handful of publicly traded companies.
Rahul Shah, MD, is an orthopedic spine and neck surgeon who specializes in restoring function in people who have difficulty with their posture.
Neel Anand, MD, is a professor of orthopedic surgery and the director of spine trauma at Cedars-Sinai Spine Center in Los Angeles.
But if you’re eager for a quicker fix, you may be considering one of those posture-correcting devices you’ve seen advertised all over social media. But do they really work? There are pros and cons, experts say. “Posture correctors can help short term as they are helping your body learn to stay in a more upright posture,” Dr. Mitro says.
Keep reading for more details on posture correctors—plus nine expert and reviewer picks to consider.
Why Good Posture Matters
“Good posture is essential to good musculoskeletal health,” says Pamela Mehta, MD, an orthopedic surgeon and the founder of Resilience Orthopedics. “When the spine is aligned properly through good posture, it allows for proper stacking of your bones, muscles, and ligaments." This leads to better balance and ability to function during normal daily activities, such as running, walking, standing for long periods, and lifting.
Bad posture can put strain on your muscles and joints, which can be painful—and wreak havoc on your whole body. "When the head falls out of line of the pelvis, the muscles automatically work overtime to try and re-center the head over the pelvis," adds Rahul Shah, MD, an orthopedic neck and back surgeon. "As the muscles work overtime, they will become fatigued, and this can result in back or neck pain."
What To Look For In A Posture Corrector
There are different types of posture correctors. Some are physical correctors, like braces, that manually hold your shoulders and back in alignment. There are also apps and gadgets on the market that help send you little reminders to stop slouching. (With these, you still have to be the one to fix your own posture.)
Posture support tools may be helpful for some people, experts hear anecdotally. But there’s no scientific data that posture-support tools make a significant difference, says Neel Anand, MD, a professor of orthopaedic surgery and the director of spine trauma at Cedars-Sinai Spine Center in Los Angeles.
While they’re not a magic wand for taking you from Neanderthal to ballerina, posture correctors *can* help you find your best posture and make you more aware of how you’re sitting and standing day to day when used in tandem with a strengthening program, and for a limited amount of time. “The real benefit of these devices is that they bring your awareness to your posture and that alone can reduce pain and increase confidence,” Dr. Anand says.
Shop for a posture corrector that is:
- Comfortable
- Non-rigid (meaning it doesn't force your body into a position that causes any pain or discomfort)
- Gentle
One important note: If you use these gadgets *too* much—particularly physical braces—then your muscles may become dependent on them and actually weaken, worsening your posture in the long run, says Smith.
“This is why it’s so important to use any posture device in conjunction with a posture-strengthening exercise routine,” he says, adding that a good posture program should target the muscles in your core, hips, glutes, lower back, and upper back. Ideally, you should limit your use of posture correctors to just an hour a day.
Here are some of the most popular devices and styles on the market, so you can pick the best fit for your needs and lifestyle.
Best For Women: Clavicle, Chest, And Back Support Brace
These posture correctors are basic and easy to use—not to mention, easy to find. You may be able to get one from your physical therapist's office, or you can search on Amazon to find options (like the one to the right!).
Just slip it on over your shoulders, and it wraps around your upper back. It almost feels like you’re wearing a bra backwards. This is a good thing, as this device helps to counteract the effect of the weight of your breasts pulling your chest and front side forward, Smith says.
Out of all of the physical posture support devices, this one provides the lightest support but is also the most comfortable and the least visible under clothing.
Material: Soft neoprene, nylon blend, and velcro
Sizes: XS to XX-Large
Adjustable: Yes
Pros:
- Specifically designed for women
- Lightweight and breathable
- Strappy design looks like a sports bra
Cons:
- Provides limited support compared to other braces
- Some reviewers say the material digs into underarm skin
Best For Full Back Support: Double-Strap Posture Corrector
This double-strap back brace has a waist strap and another elastic belt to offer extra lumbar support and comfort as you wear it. It also has two auxiliary support bars in the padded back strip for added structure.
One reviewer commented on Amazon, "I put it on the first time and my 9 year old came in the room a minute later and exclaimed I had grown taller somehow."
Material: Soft neoprene, nylon, and velcro
Sizes: Medium to X-Large
Adjustable: Yes
Pros:
- Includes support plates for the back
- "Easy" to clean
Cons:
- Recommended to wear over clothing
- Not available in smaller sizes
- Reviewers also say this one digs into underarm skin
Best For Long-Term Improvement: Smart Posture Corrector
Amszke Smart Posture Corrector
This posture corrector is made of an ergonomic elastic and nylon material that fits over your shoulders. It also comes with a sensor that vibrates when your posture is out of alignment to help you establish muscle memory and develop a habit of straightening with a gentle reminder.
Material: Nylon, Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene
Sizes: One size
Adjustable: Yes
Pros:
- Equipped with a smart sensor that vibrates when you have “bad posture"
- Lightweight
- Portable
Cons:
- Reviewers note that the vibration isn’t very strong
- Not a “physical” posture corrector, just a reminder
- Must keep device charged
Best For Office: Upright GO 2 Electronic Posture Trainer
If all you need is a gentle reminder to alert you when you’re slouching, you can try one of the wearable devices, Smith says.
These attach either via a clip to the front of your bra or with adhesive to the skin on your upper back and vibrate when your posture starts to slip. Some also come with an app for your phone so you can track your stats over time.
They are more expensive than standard braces and require charging or batteries, but they’re invisible under clothing. If you like the idea of having a posture reminder during the day but don't want to spend the money, you can set up your watch to alert you at specified intervals.
Once an hour, set a smartphone alert that instructs you to check your posture as well as take a break to stand, walk, and stretch. “Our sedentary lifestyle is one of the main reasons for back pain, and the best thing you can do is get more motion,” says Smith.
Material: Plastic
Sizes: One size
Adjustable: No
Pros:
- Provides real-time posture feedback delivered to your smartphone
- Discreet
- Can track your progress
Cons:
- Adhesives are only good for 10 uses
- Device light cannot be turned off
- More expensive than other traditional back correctors
Best For Neck And Shoulder Pain: Adjustable Upper Back Brace
These braces are worn similarly to the elastic brace but include a stiff plastic or metal piece that sits vertically between your shoulder blades.
A molded brace tends to offer more adjustable, firmer support and gives a solid reminder to pull your shoulder blades back to counteract your tendency to hunch over your computer or phone, Smith says.
The issue? The bulkier style of this brace means it can show through clothing. But given that you don't want to wear physical braces 24/7 anyway (because your muscles may get too used to them and grow weaker), you could wear this around the house for shorter intervals and leave it off when you're wearing something more form-fitting in public.
Material: Nylon blend and velcro
Sizes: Small/medium
Adjustable: Yes
Pros:
- Back support bar is removable
- Specifically designed to not rub the underarms
- Made with breathable material
Cons:
- Not designed for waist sizes smaller than 27 inches
- Reviewers note it’s difficult to choose size
- Recommended to be worn over clothing
Best For Low Back Pain: Longline Back Brace
If your posture is seriously out of alignment or you have existing low back pain, you may prefer a longline brace that provides support from the base of your neck to the top of your hip, Dr. Anand says.
You slip this one over your shoulders and then wrap a wide piece of elastic around your low back and stomach. One thing to note: It provides very firm support throughout your back, but it can be quite visible through clothing, similar to the option above.
Material: Compound cloth, velcro, and mesh
Sizes: Small to XX-Large
Adjustable: Yes
Pros:
- Provides support for low and mid back and shoulders
- Includes a strong support bar
Cons:
- Not designed for waist sizes small than 27 inches
- Bulkier than other options
- For those who are taller this brace may not provide complete support for the entire torso
Best For Soothing Discomfort: Magnetic Back Brace
Many popular brace styles claim that strategically positioned magnets within them have pain-reducing powers. While that sounds...pretty unlikely...magnet-containing braces are not harmful if you like how they feel (some reviewers say the weight of the magnets feel relaxing or soothing).
One Amazon reviewer said, "I’ve only had this for a few days but can feel a difference already." Another wrote, "This guy became my best friend recently. After nine hours in the office sitting in front of the computer, it's such a relief for my back!"
And if the brace helps you remember to correct your posture then they’re totally fine, Smith says. “There is no research that adding magnets to a back brace helps in any way but I’ve heard anecdotal reports from patients who’ve said they like it,” Smith says.
Material: Neoprene and velcro
Sizes: Large to XX-Large
Adjustable: Yes
Pros:
- Built-in magnets may have a relaxing effect
- Includes two brace plates
- Affordable
Cons:
- Metal bar support may cause discomfort in the armpit
- Lower Amazon rating than other options
- Not available in small or medium
Most Durable: Strong Support Brace
If you’re looking for extra support, this brace is for you. It covers your entire back and one reviewer said, "I tried this one with more than a healthy dose of trepidation and was overwhelmingly surprised. My posture was visibly better and the [horseback] rides stopped being painful." The same reviewer does note that it's a bit bulky, but worth it for the pros.
Material: Nylon, mesh and velcro
Sizes: Small to XX-Large
Adjustable: Yes
Pros:
- Breathable
- Provides support with full-back coverage design
- Easy to adjust
Cons:
- Must be worn over clothes
- Not available in extra small
- Users say it’s too long for shorter individuals
Best For Standing: Magnetic Lumbar Back Support Belt
MOHUACHI Thoracic Back Brace Posture Corrector
MOHUACHI Thoracic Back Brace Posture Corrector
This brace has 10 magnets that cover your entire back, all the way from the shoulders to the lower lumbar.
One Amazon reviewer wrote, “I have been working on exercises to strengthen my posture muscles, but this brace is just what I was looking for for the final push.”
Material: Nylon and velcro
Sizes: Small to XX-Large
Adjustable: Yes
Pros:
- Lighter-colored material is more discreet
- Easy to adjust and can be worn under clothing
Cons:
- Design can cause discomfort in the armpits
- Magnetic therapy effectiveness is not proven
