How to choose a posture corrector for a child - advice from doctors at the Academy of Orthopedics

12/07/2020 Correct posture has a positive effect on the health of the spine, preventing the development of various degenerative diseases. But in the modern world, it is increasingly rare to meet a person who can boast of a healthy back. Sedentary work, a sedentary lifestyle and age-related changes negatively affect posture. If you take care of your health in time, you can get by with a posture corrector.

Despite the general availability of the product, you should not choose it yourself. We advise you to first consult a doctor, since an incorrectly selected corrector can negatively affect an existing ailment. Therefore, you should start with a visit to an orthopedist.

What are posture correctors used for?

Correctors are necessary to achieve correct posture to prevent contractures in the shoulders, neck and other difficult areas. Let's try to figure out which posture corrector is best and help you choose the ideal corrector, suitable for the office and comfortable work in any position.

A posture corrector is a device that helps straighten the spine and reduce slouching. These types of orthopedic braces force your shoulders and back to remain in a straight position, reducing pain caused by poor posture.

The main goal of the best back correctors is to keep your spine straight and reduce back, shoulder, or neck pain. Depending on the type of back corrector used, it can help relieve pain in the lower back, neck, and overall upper body.

Design

How to choose a corrective corrector?

The main category of posture correctors is corrective. They are recommended for kyphosis, osteoporosis, spondyloarthrosis, pterygoid scapula syndrome and other spinal pathologies. Corrective correctors are divided into: elastic, magnetic and electronic.

Elastic

used to correct the position of the shoulder girdle. They are widely used to eliminate slouching by moving the shoulders back. The design of the corrector consists of several straps covering the shoulder joints and crossing in the area of ​​the shoulder blades. Main indications: initial stages of scoliosis, stoop, prevention of spinal pathologies.

Magnetic

- the best choice if diseases of the musculoskeletal system are accompanied by pain and inflammation. These correctors have magnets along the spine line. They, according to manufacturers, create a magnetic field that helps relieve pain, inflammation and stimulate blood flow.

Electronic

- mini-devices fixed in the collarbone area or on clothing. The sensor remembers your optimal body position and begins to vibrate when you slouch. Doctors are convinced that this is the most effective posture corrector, quickly teaching discipline, without causing discomfort or a feeling of stiffness.

How to choose a posture corrector and what should you keep in mind before buying one?

Choosing the best back corrector is a determining factor in achieving comfort and health. If you choose the wrong posture corrector, the therapeutic effect of its use will be less.

A good way to find the right posture corrector model is to evaluate the following aspects:

• size - choosing the appropriate size of a back corrector will help us take advantage of all the benefits of this device;
• design - you will probably want others not to notice your posture corrector; nowadays there are many models that will be invisible under clothes;
• type - there are different types, such as, for example, elastic bandages or reinforced corsets;
• material of manufacture - cotton, neoprene, and other modern materials can be used;
• ergonomics - the best back corrector should be lightweight, flexible and provide freedom of movement;
• price - depending on your budget and the purpose of the thoracolumbar corset, you can buy an inexpensive posture corrector from 800 rubles or a more advanced one for 8,000 rubles or more.

When purchasing a posture corrector, fitting is very important. Therefore, it is better to buy a corrector not via the Internet, but in an orthopedic salon.

At Aesculapius orthopedic salons, specialists will help you choose a suitable posture corrector based on model and size.

Size

Choosing the right corrector size

When choosing the corrector size, we recommend taking into account the following parameters:

• height,
• chest circumference,
• waist circumference

Products for sale are available for any height: from 150 to 220 cm. If you take measurements yourself, then use a standard measuring tape. Height is measured along the entire length of the body: from the top of the head to the heels. The waist circumference of correctors varies from 60 to 120 cm.

Note! We do not recommend buying products 1-2 sizes smaller. By trying to provide a tighter hold, you risk your own health.

How to use posture correctors correctly?

The first thing we need to do when we detect signs of poor posture and problems in the thoracic spine is to consult a doctor. You should know that not all posture correctors are used equally.

You should ask your doctor:

• what model of corrector do you need;
• how long during the day should you wear the posture corrector;
• Is it possible to sleep, lie in it, or play sports?

When putting on the corrector, make sure that it does not squeeze or press too hard.

Putting on a posture corrector is generally easy, as the mechanism is identical to the one we use to put on a backpack. Simply insert your arms through the straps running toward your back and tighten the bands to adjust the corrector as needed.

Can reclinators cause harm?

Like any other orthopedic product, a back posture corset should be used strictly as prescribed by a doctor. Incorrect use or wearing for a long time without indication can lead to weakening of the muscles and aggravation of the situation. In addition, the orthopedic reclinator is not used in the following cases:

• if you have allergic reactions to the materials from which the corset is made;
• with severe respiratory failure;
• in the presence of serious diseases of the cardiovascular system;
• for damage to the epidermis at the site of the corset, inflammatory skin diseases.

How to correct your posture?

In addition to wearing a posture corrector, there are a number of steps that you need to follow to achieve success and get a well-groomed and healthy back. For this it is very important:

• sleep correctly - we must have an orthopedic mattress that provides an orthopedic regime during sleep and rest and allows, in addition to comfortable sleep, to take care of the back, shoulders and torso;
• a balanced diet – people who are obese or overweight are usually those who have the most back problems, so it is vital that you eat a healthy, balanced and varied diet;
• physical exercise is the best way to strengthen the muscular corset to support the spine and discipline your posture.

Locality

Which areas need to be adjusted?
The next step is to identify the areas that need to be adjusted. Thoracic and thoracolumbar products are on sale. The first ones cover the chest and are fixed on the reverse side with a strong clasp. Some models are reinforced with rigid plates, which ensures an even position of the spine.

Thoracolumbar products cover the entire chest and lumbar region. They secure the entire length of the spinal column with strong elastic straps, so they are prescribed for more serious pathologies. Additionally, such correctors are equipped with plastic or metal ribs that relieve muscle tension.

What are the causes of poor posture?

Correct posture is necessary in order to enjoy life without pain in the back, shoulders or neck, as well as for the proper functioning of the internal organs in the thoracic region.

Some of the most common causes of poor posture are:

• the lack of a comfortable workspace in the office or at home is one of the most common causes of poor posture - to combat this problem, you need to use comfortable and ergonomic chairs;
• when we spend time in front of the TV or computer or smartphone screen, we strain the muscles of the neck and back, so we must strive to take an ergonomic position in which the back and shoulders are relaxed;
• Excess weight is detrimental to spinal health – exercise and proper nutrition are essential to combat excess weight and its health consequences.

Rating of the most popular back corsets

Risks of poor posture

Some of the most common consequences of poor posture are:

• the risk of neck, shoulder and back diseases increases;
• back pain, headaches - if blood circulation in the cervical and thoracic spine is impaired, the blood supply to the brain is disrupted, which can lead to headaches and increased blood pressure.

The appearance of a hump and other deformities are the extreme stages of postural diseases; in the absence of treatment at earlier stages, their appearance is a matter of time.

Indications and contraindications for use

Correctors for the spine are usually used for the following indications:

• Curvature of the spine - scoliosis, kyphosis or lordosis. In the early stages, corsets can correct minor curvature and help avoid further complications. Scoliosis usually develops at an early age and is common in schoolchildren;
• Slouching is considered a minor deviation from the norm, as it does not entail complications. However, stooping can affect a person's appearance in the future, so it is better to get rid of it at an early age;
• Osteochondrosis is a serious disease in which there is a metabolic disorder in the intervertebral discs and cartilage tissue. Electromagnetic correctors are able to restore blood flow to the spinal muscles, while activating metabolic processes;
• Pregnancy, during which an acute lack of calcium in the body develops, fetal pressure on the lumbar vertebrae and an increase in body weight are felt. All this foreshadows the destruction of the spinal column, so we recommend that you take care of your health and purchase a bandage with a soft and breathable base;
• Rehabilitation period after surgery. After spinal surgery, the patient needs long-term rehabilitation. It is necessary to avoid strain on the back at first, so they are prescribed support corsets.

Each product has its own contraindications. For example, synthetic bandages cause allergies in some people, so if you have an individual intolerance, you should give preference to a higher quality product.

It is also not recommended to use correctors for people with acute dermatological diseases - lichen, eczema, open wounds, etc.

Patients with built-in implants, pacemakers or pumps are strictly prohibited from using electromagnetic bands. The same rule applies to pregnant women, since electromagnetic waves negatively affect the development of the fetus.

Trives T.54.01 (T-1778)

The inexpensive orthopedic reclinator Trives T-1778 is especially popular among buyers. Experts advise wearing it if you have a pronounced stoop and lead a sedentary lifestyle. An elastic corset will help you form correct posture and solve the problem of spinal deformity. Dynamic straps are adjustable and straighten your shoulders, preventing you from slouching. It is recommended to wear the Trives correction bandage over a T-shirt to avoid chafing. Four stiffening ribs support your back and eliminate the habit of hunching. The model is available in several colors and sizes, so choosing the one that suits you is not difficult.

Characteristics:

• country of origin : Belarus
• rating - 4.5 (30 reviews)
• price - from 990 rub.
• material - plastic and fabric
• gender - unisex
• intended for use on the upper thoracic spine

Pros:

• famous Belarusian manufacturer;
• The best ratio of price and quality;
• Several colors and sizes allow you to choose a corset for any figure.

Minuses:

• may chafe the skin

Customer Feedback:

I purchased a Trives orthopedic corrector to prevent spinal diseases. I haven’t been wearing it for long, but I’ve already noticed the effect - my back and neck have stopped hurting, and my overall health has improved. If you put it on correctly, you will not feel any discomfort. I wear it all day at work, layered over a T-shirt.