Posture Corrector: Review from Physical Therapist and Studies!

What is a posture corrector? Definition

The posture corrector differs from other types of orthotics that can be worn at the back when experiencing lower or upper back pain: lumbar belt, semi-rigid lumbar belt, or rigid thoracolumbar brace. Rigid braces are custom-made by orthotists, while other orthotics are mass-produced.

The posture corrector is as flexible 🧘🏽‍♀️ as a lumbar belt. However, it generally also encompasses the thoracic region. Some are designed to be worn only on the thoracic region. They usually have a harness-like shape, with several elastic straps for adjustment. They are mass-produced.

Posture Corrector: General Opinion

Numerous websites of manufacturers or retailers praise the virtues of posture correctors. The list is almost endless:

• Relieve back pain
• Improve posture
• Strengthen back muscles
• Improve sleep
• Prevent back pain
• Reduce the risk of vertebral compression, etc.

Several mechanisms are also put forward to justify these claimed effects. For instance, it is said that the posture corrector helps correct “bad postures” of the back, thus reducing muscular tensions that cause pain.

⚠️ A similar argument was also made a few years ago regarding ergonomic chairs. According to manufacturers, these chairs allow optimal positioning of the back, legs, and arms, thus reducing back pain.

The opinion of those who manufacture or market posture correctors is therefore quite positive. But what do physiotherapists and medical professionals think about posture correctors? Are there studies showing their effectiveness? Let’s find out now.

Posture Corrector: My Physiotherapist’s Opinion

While some physiotherapists, occupational therapists, or ergonomists may have expressed a positive opinion about posture correctors, it is now known that there is no perfect posture that can completely prevent back pain. Back pain is a complex phenomenon resulting from multiple causes. Adopting a poor posture is not directly linked to back pain. Correcting a bad posture, therefore, does not truly relieve back pain.

The real issue lies in maintaining the same posture all the time. If you sit in front of your computer all day, regardless of your posture or the chair you use, you will likely experience back pain by the end of the day, especially if these days repeat frequently.

One of the main causes of back pain is sedentary behavior. People who regularly engage in physical or sports activities have a lower risk of experiencing back pain. Lower back sprain is more likely to pass more quickly if the sufferer remains as active as possible.

So-called ergonomic chairs or posture correctors used throughout the day, therefore, hold little value. They may be helpful in varying work positions in front of a computer or during repetitive activities. However, there are many other ways to modify one’s posture and, more importantly, to move more frequently than relying on such devices.

In practice, your physiotherapist is unlikely to recommend using a posture corrector. When my patients ask for my physiotherapist’s opinion on posture correctors, I tell them that they can completely do without buying one, and I work with them to explore daily improvements that can address their concerns.

The posture corrector is not the only trendy device with no proven effectiveness regarding its promises. The same goes, for example, with the Revitive Medic.

The posture corrector does not particularly encourage walking and, on its own, does not provide significant relief from pain.

Be cautious of websites making unfounded claims about posture correctors and their endorsement by physiotherapists. These are often sites selling posture correctors, stating that physiotherapists have a favorable opinion about them. But this claim lacks specificity: Which physiotherapists? What do they mean by favorable?

These websites simply aim to attract visitors searching for “posture corrector physiotherapist’s review” on Google. They frequently insert this expression throughout their article, even if it makes no sense, as shown in the screenshots below. Moreover, they adopt a positive and generic tone about the posture corrector, attempting to convince consumers to make a purchase. They often contains banal, unsourced information.

👩🏽‍⚕️ My physiotherapist’s opinion on the posture corrector is as follows: Wearing it may indeed have a short-term positive effect on the aesthetics of your posture. However, it is not reasonable to expect it to effectively relieve or prevent back pain or significantly and durably improve your posture.

Some figure-8 splints used for clavicle fractures may resemble posture correctors.

Posture Corrector: Medical Opinion

Some occupational physicians or rehabilitation doctors may also occasionally recommend the use of ergonomic chairs. Adapting the workplace when a person suffers from back pain is still relevant, but changing the chair alone is not sufficient.

Similarly, it is unlikely that a posture corrector will significantly and durably reduce back pain. Therefore, it is not the first thing to consider in cases of lumbago, whether or not there is a medical opinion.

Are there scientific studies on posture correctors?

Medical or paramedical devices reimbursed in France generally undergo clinical studies. They are tested on certain groups of patients to see if they genuinely relieve pain or other symptoms.

Posture correctors are not reimbursed by the social security system.

Are there still studies that examine whether people with back problems who use this device experience less pain than those who do not use it?

In French, a search using keywords “study” and “posture corrector” on various medical or non-medical search engines yields only one result 🤔.

It is a document signed by two osteopaths and published on a posture corrector t-shirt manufacturer’s website. It is not published in a scientific journal. The study conducted on 12 people does not seek to determine whether the posture corrector relieves back pain. It simply examines the impact it has on the posture of subjects standing or sitting for a very short time, significantly different from everyday use.

Update as of July 2022: A posture corrector manufacturer reported to me that they have published an infographic study conducted on 34 women who used their posture corrector. I acknowledge their effort to provide some empirical and descriptive data. However, such a descriptive study does not provide any evidence in favor of the usefulness of a posture corrector compared to no intervention at all.

In English, there are a few more studies on posture correctors. However, they never aim to evaluate whether the posture corrector relieves pain. They are usually conducted on athletes and examine the impact of wearing a back straightener at a specific moment of the day when the individuals know they are being tested.

No study assesses the effectiveness of the posture corrector on back pain or its long-term impact on posture.

Posture Corrector for Camptocormia and Parkinson’s Disease

Camptocormia refers to a significant flexion of the spine. Some individuals have a genetic predisposition to develop this posture. Camptocormia is more prevalent in people over the age of 65 or those with Parkinson’s disease or parkinsonian syndrome.

Does the posture corrector prevent the worsening or occurrence of camptocormia, or does it reduce it? It is highly unlikely. The daily stresses exerted on the spine when standing due to gravity make it very difficult to correct camptocormia. However, maintaining regular physical activity is likely to be beneficial in cases of camptocormia. This helps engage the muscles of the spine, especially those that erect the back.

The posture corrector alone does not adequately engage these erector muscles of the spine that limit hyperflexion of the back. While the posture corrector may give the impression of slight correction of the curvature when worn, this correction disappears as soon as it is removed.

In cases of camptocormia, whether related to Parkinson’s disease or not, it is better to engage in physical exercise.

Posture Corrector, One Gadget Among Many to Relieve Back Pain

Almost every day, patients talk to me about devices they have purchased or are considering buying to relieve their back pain. Today the posture corrector is frequently mentioned, especially among active individuals aged 20 to 50 in their personal lives but sedentary in their professional lives.

A few years ago, my patients were more interested in talking about the acupressure mat, also known as the “champ de fleur” in french. Every time, their hopes are the same: ideally, to find a definitive and effortless solution to relieve or even eliminate back pain or improve posture. Often, the desire is more down-to-earth: simply alleviate back pain, with the understanding that there is no miracle product or method.

I then inform people who inquire about these devices: no, they have never undergone rigorous scientific evaluation; yes, I know many people who have purchased them and quickly set them aside; yes, I have also heard (and read) very positive testimonials about them, but unfortunately, a testimonial is not enough to guarantee the relevance of something; no, they are not reimbursed by the social security system.

After these explanations, and after discussing the alternatives to alleviate pain, my patients generally do not purchase the device in question; or at least, they don’t mention it again and hide it well when I visit them at home!

Is massage more effective for back pain? Not really: even when performed by physiotherapists, massage only temporarily relieves pain. However, it does not reduce long-term pain or improve movement.

Back pain is not primarily related to a problem of poor posture but rather to a lack of activity. Posture correctors do not significantly and durably relieve back pain.

However, some people may still want to use them and find them beneficial. Even if it only allows them to do something about their back pain or try to improve their posture at a lower cost, independent of the device’s actual effects. If that’s your choice, I respect it completely, and I hope you’ll be satisfied!