I have bad posture.  I am an active 26 year old woman, and I want to change 
the way I hold myself.  I lift weights and I exercise regularly, 
including doing a fair amount of back exercises.  I also do pilates. 
 But all of this hasn't really helped me change my posture, and 
I am wondering if posture belts have worked for people and if they can work for me?

Dear taratw-ga;

Thank you for allowing me an opportunity to answer your interesting question.

Posture belts and other corrective appliances do seem to work with
most people, at least while they are being worn. Over time, many
people ?re-learn? to hold their bodies in the correct position and
find that they no longer need the appliance. Unless you have
osteoporosis or some other condition that is interfering with proper
alignment (or one that is degenerative) and you are otherwise healthy,
you are probably a good candidate for such an appliance. However, YOU
SHOULD SEEK A RECOMMENDATION FROM YOUR PHYSICIAN in order to be
certain. To be extra cautious, you might even opt to be tested for
vitamin/calcium deficiency, osteoporosis and diabetes while you are at
it (some leading ailments associated with poor or degenerative
posture).

There are a number of appliances out there including supports, belts
(sometimes called ?cinchers? or ?corsets?), and braces. Without
knowing exactly what is causing your posture problem, you?d be at risk
of exacerbating the problem by treating it alone. Your situation, for
example, may in fact be related to weak muscles or a misaligned spine;
both of which can be successfully treated but probably not permanently
resolved with the aid of an over the counter posture belt.

If in fact your posture would benefit from such a device, there are
many on the markets that are both economical and discreet.

POSTURE CORRECTORS
http://spinalbrace.com/posturecorrectors/

LINGERIE MART
http://www.lingeriemart.com/Crown/posture_belt_crown_r88.htm

You don?t seem to have considered it, but alternatively, you might
consider a shoe appliance (which is even more discreet and in some
cases more comfortable and affordable). Foot orthotics such as support
inserts (commonly worn by pro golfers to improve whole body posture)
that you can quickly slip into your shoes may very well do the trick ?
and only ?you? would know you are wearing them. Many people report a
marked decrease in back pain and poor posture and as a huge bonus, a
significant improvement in their balance. Such an appliance will also
allow you to work out more easily and can easily be sponged clean as
needed with mild soap and warm water as opposed to need to be
laundered (like a sweaty posture belt would have to be).

FOOT ORTHOTICS
http://www.foot-orthotics.co.uk/back_pain.htm

POSTURE SUPPORT
http://www.footsmart.com/Posture-Support.htm

GOLF SHOE INSERTS
http://www.golfersfoot.com/Golf__Shoe_Orthotics/FAQS.html


If you don?t choose to see a physician, the use of a posture belt in
most cases is a trial and error exercise. Each person is different and
since we cannot examine you or provide medical advice, it would
basically be a matter of trying it to see if it worked. If experience
any pain from the use of a belt I?d highly recommend you discontinue
using it and seek other alternatives or advice. On the other hand,
these appliances ARE sold over the counter, so without medical advice
or examination, if you note a remarkable change in your posture (end
to slouching, stooping, etc) then viola! It worked.

Below you will find that I have carefully defined my search strategy
for you in the event that you need to search for more information. By
following the same type of searches that I did you may be able to
enhance the research I have provided even further. I hope you find
that that my research exceeds your expectations. If you have any
questions about my research please post a clarification request prior
to rating the answer. Otherwise, I welcome your rating and your final
comments and I look forward to working with you again in the near
future. Thank you for bringing your question to us.

Best regards;
Tutuzdad-ga


INFORMATION SOURCES

Defined above

SEARCH STRATEGY


SEARCH ENGINE USED:

Google ://www.google.com


SEARCH TERMS USED:


Posture belt, posture cincher, posture corset, foot orthotics, shoe insert posture

This is a really good answer, and I think this is exactly what I was
looking for.  Thanks a lot, and I appreciate the detail you have put
into it.
Tara

Hi taratw-ga,

I've purchased an inversion flex table(weslo) some time back, and it seemed to
have made a good difference in my back comfort and posture.  It is very
simple to use(that sometimes will make you question the efficacy). But on
continued use, it does make a good difference.  The key is regular use for
atleast 20min everyday.  If you do not have any heart/kidney related illness
and are not taking any blood thinners(anticoagulant such as apirin or brain
circulation improvers such as ginko biloba) and a diet that does not have
excess sodium intake or caffiene.  Also my suggestion is to initially 
restrict the maximum angle to less than 30 degrees atleast for a month's 
time, apart from skipping the schedule if you feel nervous/hyper. I also found
that doing repeated slow ab-crunches(as you raise) to be more effective
than staying down inverted. The only problem is during the breakin when
you tend to have a tendency to overdo it, which might create uncomfortable
symptoms such as nausea, dizziness etc(This being the reason it is not good
for people with acute middle/inner ear problems, though it could help reduce
and correct mild instabilities of the same.)
Also listening to a relaxing music while doing it will help get the stiffness
from the back much faster.  It is an ideal for after workout relaxation/
exercise induced damage mitigation.

I am not a physician and my opinion should not be considered as a professional
advise, and I cannot be held responsible to the short/long term injuries/risk
that could arise due to my opinions being followed without additional
medical advise.

Regards
ldavinci-ga