A posture bra is a type of posture brace that is designed to support the spine and keep it in proper alignment, leading to reduce muscle pain and good posture. Many posture bras are made with strong, reinforced bands in the back, in addition to support in the sides and front to help support the body in carrying weight that one’s muscles would otherwise have to do. Typically, posture bras have a front-closure design as a result of the additional reinforced fabric in the back, however some do provide back closures. Generally, the cost of a posture bra is comparable to the price of a regular bra, however some models can be costlier.
The vast majority of the weight of one’s breasts are carried by the upper back muscles. Sometimes, neck, back, and shoulder pain are due to a lack of breast support, which leads to poor posture. Posture bras are designed to remedy this problem. Typically, plus-sized women or women who have large breasts suffer from this problem, and may need extra support. As a result, most of the posture bra sizes are quite large and can be found in plus-size stores and websites. Hence, most complaints from reviewers are from smaller women who have difficulty finding a bra in the right size.
Additionally, posture bras have reinforced bands of material located in the front, sides, and back, that have significantly wider shoulder straps than a regular bra. These wide straps spread the weight more evenly across one’s shoulders, alleviating pain and ensuring more comfortability when worn for long periods of time. Many reviewers feel the difference this makes, claiming that for everyday wear, posture bras are surprisingly comfortable and durable, but unfortunately they are not very good looking when worn under tight outfits or on a night out.
To select the best posture bra, one should first determine their body type and activity level. One type, the longline design, is designed to provide support to the entirety of one’s torso to support good posture when sitting or standing for long periods such as during work, or for women who have bigger breasts that needs extra support. Next, athletic posture bras are great for those who partake in physical activities on a regular basis. Lastly, another kind of posture bra looks nearly indistinguishable from a traditional bra, which can be the most comfortable (at the cost of offering the least support) for women who are transitioning from their regular bra to a posture bra.
One particular occupation that could really benefit from a posture bra are nurses, since they are predominantly female and often have to lift heavy things as part of their job description. They can also benefit greatly from using a back brace to keep their lumbar spine from being overworked.