Posture Improving Devices

According to the National Federation of Personal Fitness trainers, a healthy posture is the most important part of maintaining a healthy back, and bad posture can debilitate the body as much as a major car accident injury. Some soft or rigid apparel, ergonomic furniture and other items help improve posture.

Straps

• Some posture straps resemble bras or corsets, and wrap around the middle of the back, around the torso and over each shoulder. Posture straps improve posture by guiding the position of the shoulders and back. Posture straps do not provide as much muscular support as other posture devices, because users can resume bad posture while wearing these straps.

Braces

• Posture braces come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Braces promote good posture by aligning the neck with the spine to prevent neck strain. Some braces wrap around the back, torso and shoulders similar to straps, but braces are rigid and limit the user's range of motion. Other braces look similar to corsets and wrap around the entire length of the back and torso.

Seating

• Some types of chairs promote good posture with ergonomic designs. Ergonomic chairs with high back support that curves in at the lower back help improve posture by matching the curves of the spine. Inflated and foam ball chairs help improve posture by forcing users to balance while seated in comfortable position. Ball chairs accomplish posture improvements without back support.

Machines

• Alignment devices include racks and bars that allow users to hang upside down and inclined benches that elevate the feet during abdominal exercises. These machines use gravity to force the curvature of the spine to stay in place while performing exercises. These machines target posture muscles or strengthen core muscle groups. Core muscle groups are among the major muscle groups responsible for spinal alignment. Devices that strengthen the core improve posture, because core training helps balance forces throughout the spine and prevent overloading in one area.

Cushions

• Lumbar cushions help improve posture by matching the curvature of the spine, and providing lower-back support. People can place lumbar cushions on any chair with a back support at home, on airplanes, on public transportation, at school or at the office. Lumbar cushions are small and portable, and some models are even inflatable.

Shoes

• Some shoes are designed to improve posture. Shoes with customized insoles can improve stability and balance for people that over-pronate or -supinate when they stand or step (i.e., people with feet that lean inward or outward). Other posture-improving shoes have a curved bottom surface and force the pelvis outward. Rocking shoes promote good posture, because forcing the pelvis outward strengthens the lower back muscles and can relax stiff shoulders.