Despite a couple of reservations I can honestly say this is going to become an essential product for me to use, most likely long term and on a daily basis.
It retails for £34.99 GBP plus shipping although I got 10% off for my first order. Check the website for that.
It's made up of 2 elastic straps formed into the shoulder loops and belt that connect to a supporting 'spine'. The idea that it uses your own spine as a lever to push against while the elastic pulls your shoulders back. Clever stuff.
The manufacturer says it has been designed in conjunction with the London Spine Clinic, which certainly sounds impressive...
Complaints
Let's get my gripes out of the way.
First of all let's talk about quality. Everything seems well made apart from the stitching around the velcro where it holds the brace in place, effectively maintaining the level of support. Within only 2 days of use that stitching is disintegrating and will, in time, make the product useless. This is the point at which the stitching needs to be strongest and it's rapid failure is a concern.
Now they offer a 30 day money back guarantee and I will replace it but the fact it's happening is kind of worrying for something I'll be wearing every day. Hopefully I've just been unlucky.
Secondly, the elastic that forms the straps has kind of a rough texture to it. This means if you're going to be wearing it all day, as I intend to, I'll need to wear a t-shirt underneath it. Not a deal breaker for me but might be for others. I'm able to wear my work shirt on top and its virtually invisible so that's enough for me.
Finally, and this is a very minor quibble, would it be too much to ask to get this in black?
Does it work
Now lets talk about the good stuff. Does it work?
Unequivocally, yes. When I'm wearing this I feel that I'm definitely standing up a lot straighter. My shoulders are 'encouraged' into the correct position rather than forced. Is it still possible to slouch? Of course, we're just talking about elastic here but there is a definite resistance against bad posture. It's like you have a constant reminder when you deviate from the correct position.
There is a definite feeling of support and security which I wasn't expecting and the constant gentle pressure is weirdly reassuring. In fact, if you occasionally need to relieve that pressure you need to force your shoulders even further back and downwards, basically adopting an even better posture!
However, the biggest testament to the shoulder brace's effectiveness is the fact I'm virtually free of what was my semi-constant neck and shoulder pain. After 2 days! I have a lot more freedom and range of movement looking up and to the sides. That in and of itself is a victory.
I can see this, or a product similar to this, is going to become an essential tool in improving my posture going forward. However, I think it's probably going to be quite a long road and I'll need to employ some techniques and exercises to help as well. For example I don't think the shoulder brace will solve my Lower Cross Syndrome.
But for the time being this is a great start. Despite some quality control issues, I can wholeheartedly recommend the back Shoulder Brace.
https://uk.backpainhelp.com/posture-brace.html
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