Menu
Dr. Weil Logo Dr. Weil Logo Weil™ Andrew Weil, M.D.
  • Health & Wellness
    Health & Wellness
    Body, Mind & Spirit
    • Addiction
    • Allergy & Asthma
    • Autoimmune Disorders
    • Back Pain
    • Bone & Joint
    • Cancer
    • Colds & Flu
    • Dental & Oral
    • Diabetes
    • Disease & Disorders
    • Ears, Nose, & Throat
    • Feet
    • Gastrointestinal
    • Hair, Skin, & Nails
    • Headache
    • Heart
    • Insects & Parasites
    • Liver & Kidney
    • Mental Health
    • Pregnancy & Fertility
    • Respiratory
    • Sexual Health
    • Sleep Issues
    • Stress & Anxiety
    • Vision
    Balanced Living
    • Exercise & Fitness
    • Gardening
    • Healthy Home
    • Healthy Living
    • Meditation & Inspiration
    • Meet Dr. Weil
    • Pets & Pet Care
    • Technology
    • Wellness Therapies
    Health Centers
    • Aging Gracefully
    • Children
    • Condition Care Guide
    • Men
    • Women
  • Diet & Nutrition
    Diet & Nutrition
    Anti-Inflammatory Diet & Pyramid
    Anti-Inflammatory Diet Pyramid
    Cooking & Cookware
    Healthy Cooking & Cookware
    Diets & Weight Loss
    Diets & Weight Loss
    Food Safety
    Diets & Nutrition - Food Safety
    Nutrition
    healthy nutrition
    Recipes
    healthy recipes
  • Vitamins, Supplements & Herbs
    Vitamins, Supplements & Herbs
    Herbs
    herbal remedies - herbs
    Supplements & Remedies
    suppliments & remedies
    Vitamins
    ask-dr-weil_vitamins-supplements-herbs_vitamins-topnav
  • Ask Dr. Weil
  • Blogs
    Blogs
    Bulletins
    The Legacy Of Living Yes | Spontaneous Happiness | Andrew Weil, M.D.
    Health Tips
    Healthy Drinks To Start Sipping | Andrew Weil, M.D.
    Spontaneous Happiness
    blog_spontaneous-happiness_topnav
  • COVID-19
  • Dr. Weil Origins Skin Care
  • Marketplace
  • Healthy Aging
  • Podcasts
  • Meet Dr. Weil
  • Accessibility
  • Subscribe
Back Brace for Poor Posture?
Subscribe
Press "Enter" to search
  1. Home
  2. Health & Wellness
  3. Body, Mind & Spirit
  4. Bone & Joint

Back Brace for Poor Posture?

Can wearing a back brace help improve posture? Years of sitting at a computer for hours at work have led to my poor posture, in spite of the fact that I’m physically active and slim. Of course, I’m sure exercise would help, too.

Andrew Weil, M.D. |September 23, 2010

woman at work
1 min

Spending long hours at the computer can cause muscle aches and, as you’ve learned, can adversely affect posture. My first recommendation is to make sure that your computer station is set up correctly in order to minimize any strain on your back, neck and arms. I suggest taking a look at this postural guide from the University of California at Los Angeles and making an effort to ensure that you follow the advice as closely as possible. I also urge you to be mindful of your posture since awareness is the major factor in maintaining correct posture.

I discussed your question about how to improve posture by wearing a back brace or posture brace with Theresa Cisler, D.O., an osteopath who practices in Tucson. She said that she wouldn’t recommend using a back brace for posture because it would weaken muscles rather than improve your posture. Instead, she advised exercise as the best approach and rather than advocating any specific type of exercise, she suggests doing whatever type of activity you enjoy and can commit to on a regular basis. She also advised taking stretch breaks from the computer periodically and performing the stretches described in the chapter on exercise in Dr. Robert Fulford’s book Dr. Fulford’s Touch of Life. I second that recommendation. I studied with Dr. Fulford, a leading practitioner of cranial osteopathy, in the 1970s and still consider him the most effective clinician and healer I’ve ever known.

Another expert, Harmon Myers, D.O., a member of the faculty of the Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine, noted that a back brace or other type of support “by its very nature limits the motion of certain muscles, which over a long term weakens an area. Postural problems usually require exercises and evaluation of the patient’s workplace by an occupational therapist.”

You also may want to consider the Feldenkrais Method to improve your posture. Named after its originator, Dr. Moshe Feldenkrais, D.Sc. (1904-1984), a Russian-born physicist, judo expert, mechanical engineer and educator, the Feldenkrais Method is based on the principles of physics and biomechanics, an empirical understanding of human physiology, and the connection between mind and body. It can correct poor posture and habits of movement that may be causing pain. To find a qualified practitioner in your area go to www.feldenkrais.com.

Andrew Weil, M.D.

Advertisement
Related Weil Products

Dr. Weil on Healthy Aging for Bone and Joint Health

Wear and tear, joint stress, inadequate nutrition and genetic predisposition all can be factors in your risk for bone and joint issues. Help protect your bones with a proper diet, supplement routine and exercise plan. Learn more – join the Dr. Weil on Healthy Aging online guide and get 14 days free.
Get Started
Dr. Weil on Healthy Aging

Start Your 14-Day Free Trial

Free Newsletters

Stay Connected With Dr. Weil

Anti-Inflammatory Diet

Follow Dr. Weil’s Food Pyramid

Get Dr Weils Newsletter Updates

Exclusive Lifestyle, Nutrition & Health Advice

Dr. Weil's FREE health living advice delivered to you!

By clicking "Subscribe," you agree to the DrWeil.com Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy. You also agree to receive emails from DrWeil.com, and you may opt out of DrWeil.com subscriptions at any time.

Trending Now

Shot of a senior woman using weights with the help of a physical therapist
Bone & Joint

A Better Drug for Bones?

Cropped shot of a young woman getting a neck massage at a spahttp://195.154.178.81/DATA/i_collage/pi/shoots/782839.jpg
Bone & Joint

A Pain in the Neck?

Swimmer
Bone & Joint

Aching With Arthritis?

Food supplement pills, glucosamine capsules, macro image, selective focus
Bone & Joint

Are Glucosamine Supplements Worthwhile?

Get Dr Weils Newsletter Updates

Stay Connected With Dr. Weil - Get Free Newsletters Right In Your Inbox

Exclusive Lifestyle, Nutrition & Health Advice

Dr. Weil Logo Weil™ Andrew Weil, M.D.
Information
  • About Us
  • Press Information
  • Advertising
  • Contact Us
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Manage Email Subscription
Trending Articles
Shot of a senior woman using weights with the help of a physical therapist
Bone & Joint

A Better Drug for Bones?

Cropped shot of a young woman getting a neck massage at a spahttp://195.154.178.81/DATA/i_collage/pi/shoots/782839.jpg
Bone & Joint

A Pain in the Neck?

Daily Tips
Do You Need Vitamin K? | Health Tips | Andrew Weil, M.D.
Health Tips

Do You Need Vitamin K?

Is Cooking with Aluminum Harmful? | Andrew Weil, M.D.
Health Tips

Aluminum Cookware: What Are The Concerns?

  • Flickr
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Youtube
  • Pinterest
  • Instagram

Terms of Use | Privacy Policy

Information on this website is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for the advice provided by your physician or other healthcare professional. You should not use the information on this website for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, or prescribing any medication or other treatment. Any third party offering or advertising on this website does not constitute an endorsement by Andrew Weil, M.D. or Healthy Lifestyle Brands.

©Copyright2023 Healthy Lifestyle Brands, LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. www.drweil.com