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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Lifestyle
Robin Craig

My fortnight in a posture corrector: can this simple device help reduce back pain?

Robin Craig walking down the street while wearing a posture corrector
Walk this way … Robin Craig says his shoulders are more relaxed and his back feels straighter. Photograph: Jill Mead/The Guardian

When I sat at my desk this morning, I couldn’t slouch over the keyboard like I usually do. As much as I tried to hunch over, my back was held straight, shoulders pulled back. My trick? I was wearing a corset-like device with straps over my shoulders that forced me into an upright position.

Posture correctors claim to provide instant improvement in posture and relieve the back, shoulder and chest pain often associated with poor posture, if worn long term. The one I have on, Vicorrect (£29.99), is one of many on the market – Lidl’s budget posture trainer (£7.99) is now sold out; Taylor Swift has been spotted wearing a sports-bra version by Forme (£140).

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