Do posture correctors work?

[Violashift]

The correctors you can buy on Amazon and wear for an hour a day.

I have a hunch. Years if slouching due to big boobs. I was given exercise from the doctor to do but had no improvement.

Has anyone got any experience of curing a hunch. Is it possible?

My oh says they are a waste of money but I am getting desperate.

Watching with interest

Also watching with interest

Same!

Ditto!

Does anyone remember the episode of 'Doctor In The House' with Rangan Chatterjee where the householder had a terrible hunch due to using crutches? RC sorted it out over a series of weeks/months with the help of a physiotherapist if memory serves.

If it took years to develop, it's not going to change with one hour a day wearing a restraint but continued exercises might help. Book an appt with a physio or a teacher of the Alexander technique and do the exercises every day.

I think some you can wear all day under clothes.

I looked at these as my posture is terrible. I was told that they actually make matters worse as your muscles get even lazier and weaker through being supported by the corrector. Only consistent strengthening exercises will make a real difference unfortunately.

I have one, I could only wear it for 15mins at a time as it made my muscles ache as I have no strength.

I find that I do have better posture after wearing it I stand straighter and then I'm aware of my slouching. It's more of a reminder of how I should stand instead of holding me in the position all day

Meepmoop which muscles would ache? I'm thinking about starting yoga or Pilates. I'm fed up with my neck and shoulders aching because of my constant slouching!

I've just had major spinal surgery and I asked if this would help a slight curvature to the top of my spine - a definite no from the consultant!

I think yoga, pilates and weight lifting (with advice) would be better long term. There was a programme a little while back about GP's stopping their prescription of drugs for back pain. After 10 years+ of suffering and progressively taking higher doses of pain relief, the thing that worked was exercise and it was actually remarkable the difference.

I'd attack on all fronts - start with Pilates maybe a couple of times a week plus daily practice to strengthen your core so you can sustain better posture, have a one off physio session to look at any significant issues and give specific exercises, and book an Alexander Technique teacher to think about movement. A lot of time and effort basically.

hungryhippie - my shoulder muscles would ache

In order to cure a hunch, you need to work on the muscle groups that are weak, this is why a physio or doctor recommends doing exercises. By activating the muscles in your back and shoulders you will, over time, get to the point where you are able to hold an aligned posture. If you use a posture brace or corrector, then it will be the device doing the work for you, meaning the minute you take it off, you are getting back to that hunched position, as your muscles haven't done any work. This is why doing Alexander Technique can be a good idea or getting a posture shirt that doesn't overtake the muscles functionality, for instance the one they have at ActivePosture.
Whatever you do decide to do, don't "brace it" as my husband, who is a physiotherapist, would say.

I have the same issue - petite frame and very big breasts. I do work with a physical trainer who does specific exercise with me to strengthen the necessary muscles but a couple of decades ago I did have a posture corrector that I wore for an hour to two hours a day. At that time it was because I competing at an amatuer level in horse events and I wanted to improve my riding posture. I don't know if it made much difference just in being worn but it was useful to help me realise what it should feel like to have correct posture - I would really feel my muscles working! So when I wasn't wearing it I could remember how I should be sitting up straight. They're not very expensive so why not try it? Of course PP's are correct, permanent change has to come from training your muscles over time.

If you sit a lot you could try different chair solutions. I also use a kneeling chair at my office to force me to hold myself up and sit straighter. It's not meant for a full day of sitting so I alternate between the kneeling chair and a normal desk chair. One of my colleagues does the same with an exercise ball.

I got one of those posture t-shirts that Kathleen75 is mentioning two months ago, the one from ActivePosture. I didn't have high hopes, but I gave it a go anyway as I was desperate for trying anything that could help my neverending back pain. I must say I am impressed by the effect. My back pain really is reduced and I don't slouch as much as I used to. I follow Active Posture on Facebook and can see they have a promotion at the moment (typical as I paid full price for mine!). I'll buy another one later with the discount, so I will have less washing to do and the shirt seems to be the only thing that works for me. I am sure the company won't mind me giving the code which is called SOME20 and gives 20% off, if anyone wants to try it out.