Can You Actually Correct Your Posture With a Harness?

You Should Know: Many of us suffer from “tech neck.” The wellness industry has proposed a fix: vests and slings that pull your shoulders back and straighten your spine. They’re said to correct your posture and solve back and neck pain. Some people swear by them, but whether or not they work is yet to be determined.

Going Deeper: Today, most people consider “poor posture” to mean slouching and hunched shoulders, while “good posture,” means being upright with the chest high and shoulders back. Truth is, the concept of ideal posture has changed throughout history, and research suggests there’s no optimal posture for health. Some experts even say there’s no evidence to support the popular idea that bad posture causes back pain.

Takeaway: Whether your posture is causing your back pain is debatable. It could be your shrimp slouch or something else, like anatomy, muscle weakness, or injury. Either way, it’s wise to heed the experts’ warnings that it’s not a great idea to “become reliant on a brace to stay upright.” 

Bottom Line: If you suspect posture-related pain, a physical therapist can evaluate what’s really going on and recommend exercises or adjustments that address the root cause.