How to Correct Back Posture in Daily Life: Medical Back Brace for Posture

Poor back posture not only affects the overall well-being of our body but also makes us less active. It ultimately affects how we feel about ourselves.

On the other hand, good posture helps our body develop flexibility, strength, and balance. Studies^[1] have shown that good posture reduces stress on our ligaments and muscles, reducing the risk of injury.

Ready to learn how bad posture can ruin health, putting you at high risk of many health issues, and how we can avoid them by correcting our back posture with the medical back brace for posture? Read this article, and at the end, you’ll know exactly how to correct your back posture.

Prevalence of Poor Back Posture

To our surprise, more than 31 million Americans suffer from bad posture. Poor posture can lead to various health issues, including back pain, spinal dysfunction, respiratory problems, high blood pressure, and joint degeneration. Here are five reasons behind the prevalence of poor back posture:

• Weight: The fat around the midsection of our body puts pressure on the pelvis, causing it to move forward. It disturbs the spine's alignment and exerts pressure on the lower back. It results in poor posture.
• Occupation: Unfortunately, there has been a significant transformation in the working environment due to technological advancements. We are made to work on our desks in front of computer screens for hours. Sitting in awkward positions while working can cause discomfort around the back, neck, and shoulders.
• Muscle Weakness/Tension: If someone is already experiencing muscle weakness or tension, it can exacerbate poor posture.
• Poor Footwear: For those of us who wear high-heeled or poorly fitted shoes, there is a high prevalence of poor back posture. It happens because we continuously put a strain on our knees, ankles, or hips, causing pain.
• Injury: Our body’s natural defense system causes a spasm around muscles in case of injury. It happens to protect the injured body area. Sometimes, due to frequent muscle spasms, a muscular imbalance occurs that affects the back posture.

Recognizing Bad Back Posture

Posture is defined by the relation of our spine to our heads, hips, and shoulders. A bad posture does not have a neutral spine. In bad posture, our body’s ligaments, muscle groups, and joints are improperly aligned. It results in increased stress on the body, making it rigid, increasing fatigue, and causing imbalance and back pain.

Types of Poor Posture

With so many distractions and attention-grabbing devices such as smartphones, it is easier to develop bad posture. Carrying heavy backpacks and sitting in chairs for long hours are also common reasons for poor posture. Here are four common types, causes, and effects of poor back postures:

• Kyphosis, also known as a hunchback, refers to a condition in which an exaggerated curvature of the thoracic spine (upper back) occurs. Its presentation is rounded shoulders and a forward head. Often seen in elderly women, the leading risk factor for Kyphosis is advancing age, during which muscles weaken. Its other causes include osteoporosis and age-related degeneration of the vertebrae.
• Flatback: It is a condition in which the spine of the body loses its natural curvature. The back of the body looks straight. The leading causes behind this condition are degenerative conditions of the spine, including disc degeneration, inflammatory arthritis (ankylosing spondylitis), and vertebral compression. Flatback can also be present at birth. In this condition, patients may experience pain when standing for extended periods.
• Forward Head: Also known by other names such as text neck, tech neck, and nerd neck, this posture is associated with headache, neck stiffness, and back pain. It occurs from hunching over the laptop, phone, or steering wheel, especially if one drives a lot. It can also be age-related, resulting from loss of muscle strength in the upper body.
• Swayback: Also known as hyperlordosis or lordosis, is when your pelvis and hips tilt forward in front of your body's midline. In this posture, there is an exaggerated inward curve. Physically, people with this posture while standing appear to be leaning backward, with their stomach and rear protruding.

Does a Medical Back Brace for Posture Really Work?

A recent study^[2] was conducted in which 38 athletes were asked to wear a posture medical back brace to improve their posture. In this study, 38 overhead athletes with a forward head and rounded shoulder posture were assessed to determine whether shoulder braces would be effective in improving their posture.

The study even used electromyography to track specific muscle action with the braces on and with the braces off. In this study, the forward shoulder angle was decreased when participants were wearing the braces compared with when they were not wearing the braces.

1) How does it help to correct back posture?

Medical back braces for the shoulder help reduce the activity of the upper trapezius, which is beneficial. The lower trapezius muscle helps the scapula rotate upwards and further stabilizes it to prevent forward protraction or rounding of the shoulders. This improves posture and encourages better muscle engagement.

2) Applications of medical back braces

Medical back braces for posture are categorized into three types: rigid, semi-rigid, and flexible. For people suffering from moderate to severe cases of instability and pain, a rigid back brace for posture and lower back pain is the best. Similarly, for individuals experiencing mild to moderate pain, flexible and semi-rigid braces are ideal. These medical back braces for posture help lower the weight typically placed on the lower back, thereby reducing the overall pressure on the spine's muscles, joints, and discs.

3) The combination with other correction methods

A medical back brace for posture should be used in conjunction with other corrective methods, such as exercises and therapy. All of these combinations help protect spinal curves from worsening.

Medical Back Brace Supplier Near Me

Fivali is the best brand when it comes to medical back braces for posture, as they offer a wide range of adjustable posture braces, including back braces for women and men. Here are three back support braces for posture that Fivali offers that are game changers for correcting your poor back posture:

Fivali Back Brace Posture Corrector Shoulder Straightener for Men Women FBR03

The FBR03 back brace by Fivali, designed for posture and lower back pain, provides excellent support around the lumbar region, effectively improving posture from the shoulders to the lower back. It limits excessive extension or flexion, reducing back muscle strain. If you are looking for a medical back brace that improves posture and promotes spinal health, it is the ideal choice.

Fivali Lumbar Support FBR06

Made from adjustable fabric, this best back brace for posture features extended padding professionally designed to relieve pain across the lumbar region. It comes with an adjustable shoulder strap that allows for downward adjustment to generate backward force on the shoulder. It helps solve the problem of insufficient shoulder strap strength. It has a wide range of uses, such as running, office work, and the gym.

Fivali Full Back Brace for Back Straighten and Posture Correction

If you're looking for a softer and more breathable posture corrector, the Fivali Full Back medical back brace for posture is ideal for you. It comes with adjustable Velcro straps, providing a customized fit for both men and women.

When searching for a top-notch back posture corrector to improve your back posture, Fivali is an excellent choice. Its ergonomic design provides a perfect fit for the back and offers protection against hunchback. The stitching is smooth and features buckle-edge technology, making it durable.

Fivali medical back brace for posture is designed keeping versatility and benefits in mind. They ensure improved back posture and well-being. Adding these supportive aids in the back healing journey is the best decision one can make.

References:

1. Effects of slouching and muscle contraction on the strain of the iliolumbar ligament. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17553728/ (Accessed: 23 May 2024)
2. Scapular bracing and alteration of posture and muscle activity in overhead athletes with poor posture. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23672321/ (Accessed: 23 May 2024)