Posture supports – claims aplenty, but do they really hold up?

If you’ve spent much time in search of a remedy for bad posture, you have no doubt heard about posture support devices. I’m talking here about the sort one wears, such as a lumbar support for low back pain (LBP), or a shoulder support to correct rounded shoulders by forcing them back. You’ll hear all sorts of claims for such devices, but do they really lead to good posture?

 

Posture Support – Fact or Fiction?

My hypothesis is that while such devices may offer temporary benefits in some circumstances, they are not really effective in the long run.

It may even be that supports for poor posture prolong the problem and prevent a real solution. Since the support is artificially holding the head, neck or a portion of the back in a particular position, the muscles that should be doing the work aren’t allowed to. Deprived of their rightful jobs, these poor indigent muscles may weaken and atrophy (wither away). No one likes to be given the sack – not even muscles!

 

Sticky Tape versus Real Solutions

When there is a posture problem of any sort, it is there for a reason. The real answer is to discover the underlying cause, then take steps to address the cause.

You see, the problem that’s observed outwardly (rounding shoulders, low back pain, forward head posture) is never just a singular issue. Applying a support or a brace is a bit like putting sticky tape over the oil warning light in your car: It might make you feel better for a while, but the problem hasn’t gone away, and may worsen. Sooner or later you’re going to have to do something about it.

Let’s take shoulder pain as an example. The list of possible causes is long, and there is certainly no universal solution, right for all of them. So how can anyone make the broad claim that their elastic brace, special pillow, High-Tech Wonder Contraption™ or secrets-of-the-ancient-Peruvians magic crystal healing necklace is going to end every shoulder pain sufferer’s woes? That’ silly – to put it charitably.

 

Is There a Straight Solution?

“All right, but what about my posture?” you ask. “How do I get to the underlying cause of my own posture problems? How do I achieve healthy posture?”

Happily, it may be that the root of your difficulty can be found with a simple, inexpensive posture analysis. I’ve had some extremely exciting successes with it, helping people gain better posture and all the health benefits it brings. You can learn more about this service right here.

I can’t guarantee you perfect posture. No one can, honestly. But healthy posture can be yours, most definitely!

 

A parting thought…

Speaking of achieving good posture, have you noticed that some mums (other people’s mums, of course!) seem to believe nagging about bad posture is a sovereign remedy? Professionally speaking, I haven’t found it to be a reliable cure. In any case, you could hardly classify nagging and nattering as posture support now, could you?

I won’t nag about it, but I’d surely appreciate hearing from you. Write (use that box down below) and share your posture woes and the most outlandish posture correction device you’ve ever seen or tried.

 

Supportively yours,