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Importance of Posture Corrective Brace

Kalpana Kumari
Do you know why a posture corrective brace is used? How does it work to give you desired results? If you want the answers and feel interested in knowing more about it, read on.
A posture corrective brace is defined as a support garment, which is designed to rectify poor stance. It is generally a soft, non-elastic strap which has been made in a way to provide a secure and non-binding fit to the body of the user. It is usually equipped with an adjustable hook and loop fastener.
The purpose of providing the fastener is to increase or decrease the amount of pressure and support so as to get the perfect, comfortable fit. The support, which has a terry cloth protector, is considered to be ideal for usage as it keeps the back of the user dry. This makes it quite comfortable and easy to use.
It is meant to be used along with physical exercises and lifestyle changes in order to avoid factors that lead to poor positioning of the body while sitting or standing.
This support garment can be used by both adults and kids. The person who may need it is one whose job is to sit for long hours with a lot of strain on the body, or the one who works rigorously on a regular basis.

Effects of a Poor Stance

Posture is the positioning of different body parts proportional to one another. A good pose is gained by vertically aligning different blocks of weight of the body. They include the head, shoulders, hips, and abdomen.
This allows the natural 'S' curve of the spine with minimal possible distortions. However, when one sits, stands, or even sleeps with a wrong alignment in the body, he develops a bad stance over time. This can negatively affect the health of a person. It stresses the spine and neck and puts unnecessary strain on the muscles around the vertebrae.
Secondly, such gait may alter the natural 'S' shape of the spine to an abnormal 'C' shape. Such a change in spine shape increases the possibility of long-term damage to bone joints, muscles, discs, and constriction of nerves and blood vessels. Thirdly, it can give rise to frequent fatigue, back and neck pain, and headache.
It can even lead to breathing problems in severe cases. Lastly, it has been observed to affect the confidence of the person. He or she starts feeling conscious about his/her appearance. In order to avoid all these consequences, medical professionals often recommend corrective tools.

How Does a Brace Work?

When someone wears a brace, his muscles receive a steady pressure. The pressure engages the muscles in such a way that the back is strengthened. This helps him to always keep his upper body, particularly the back, in a correct stance. Over a period of time, his muscles get stronger and help correct other posture-related issues. The need to wear a support occurs particularly when a person is either suffering from back injury or ailments of poor gait.
There are several websites from where one can view reviews and get an idea of the brace which might be suitable for him from all aspects including body buildup and budget. Right fit is very important while using it. Nowadays, one can customize the back brace according to his physical buildup and needs. In addition to using a posture corrective brace, one needs to follow a balanced diet and a stretching exercise regimen suggested by his/her doctor.