1. Use a Rigid Brace
Rigid braces are made of firm plastic and designed to fit the contours of the body. They severely limit movement for the back, sometimes by as much as 50 percent. Due the brace's rigidity, you must constantly stand or sit in an upright position, and that limited range of movement will correct any bad posture habits. Back braces are usually only worn by people with severe posture problems, such as those brought on by scoliosis or chronic spine fractures. If you recently underwent back surgery, you might be directed by your doctor to wear a rigid brace during recovery. Your doctor will give you individual directions as to what you should do at night, however, because you can't wear rigid back braces while you sleep.
2. Wear a Corset
Corsets are made from elastic and other stretchable materials that provide light to moderate back support. There are usually stiff metal rods woven into the front of the corset to inhibit the wearer from bending forward. The elastic gently hugs the waist to correct posture by promoting an upright position while you're standing or sitting. If you have a job that involves heavy lifting, wearing a corset will remind you to maintain proper posture when lifting objects. You can also wear them overnight, as they provide continued back support during sleep.
3. Use Tape to Correct Posture
Strong masking tape can be used to correct posture, and act as a makeshift brace. Apply a long strip of tape horizontally across your shoulder blades, from the outer edge of one blade to the outer edge of the other. Run a long strip of tape from one shoulder blade to your opposing hip, and repeat with your opposite shoulder blade and hip. Apply the tape so that it tightly pulls back the shoulders. The force of the tape pulling your shoulders back will naturally improve your posture by reminding you how to stand. You can wear the tape as often as you like, but take it off every night before you go to bed, as long-term usage can be bad for your skin.
