A posture support is a brace that can assist by improving your poor posture, and therefore reduce the amount of stress on the muscles and joints of the cervical and thoracic spine.
Posture supports help in restricting forward flexion movements of the spine and shoulders particularly at times of sustained poor posture such as sitting. They provide a firm but gentle support by pulling the shoulders back resulting in a corrected and taller posture.
For people who suffer from neck or upper back conditions that are aggravated by poor posture, a posture support may help reduce the stress on the spine and tension of the muscles and therefore reduce injury aggravation. If poor posture is unavoidable (e.g. occupational) a postural brace can help to improve your posture, reduce stress on the spine and reduce injury aggravation cause by increased stress on the spine and load onto the muscles.
It is important not to be come dependent on postural supports as overtime it can cause muscles to become weakened which is why it is important to also commence posture exercises for strengthening recommended by your physiotherapist. As your postural awareness improves with postural exercises to address muscle strength and endurance and can reduce the amount of support and use some light taping for feedback purposes.
Posture supports are available at all of our Core Pysiotherapy practices, contact us for more information.