Things You'll Need
Measuring tape
Chalk
Fabric scissors
Straight-edge knife
High-density urethane foam (available at home supply stores)
Power mesh fabric (available at home supply stores)
Needle
Thread
Velcro strips
Permanent epoxy
Posture braces are essential strap-on devices to help readjust your spinal alignment. The trick to posture braces is shaping them in a way that contracts the muscles of your lower and middle back, providing a firm vertical support. Posture braces are useful for people who sit for extended periods or walk around with poor posture. Wear posture braces while typing on the computer, for example, or going about daily activities. Ask a friend to help you with measurements to expedite the process.
Step 1
Measure your lower and middle back from your tailbone up to the middle of your back. Measure the width of your back. Cut two pieces of 1/8-inch thick high-density urethane foam to these dimensions. Set aside the foam for use in Step 3.
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Step 2
Extend the height and width back measurements by 2 inches on all four sides. Trace these extended dimensions onto two pieces of power Mesh fabric. Cut the fabric to these dimensions.
Step 3
Stack the foam pieces atop one another. Place and center the foam pieces in between the power mesh sheets. Hem all four sides of the power mesh with a needle and thread to create your actual posture support padding. Set aside the posture support padding for use in later steps.
Step 4
Measure the distance from the left side of your back to the center of your stomach or your diaphragm. Repeat for the right side. Measure the distance from your middle back -- on your left side -- over your shoulders and down to the center of your diaphragm. Repeat for the right side.
Step 5
Cut four 3-inch wide power mesh band straps to suit these dimensions. Two straps will be used to connect the support padding around your midsection, and two will be used as shoulder straps.
Step 6
Sew one end of each of the straps to the hem of the posture support padding -- one strap on the left side, one on the right side, one on the top right, and one on the top left.
Step 7
Cut and glue one 3-inch by 3-inch Velcro strand to the topside, at the opposite end of the left middle strap. Cut and glue one 3-inch by 3-inch Velcro strand to the underside, at the opposite end of the right middle strap. Your waistband straps are now complete.
Step 8
Measure 2 inches back from the Velcro ends on each waistband strap. Cut and glue two 3-inch by 3-inch Velcro strands, and attach them to the topside of each waistband strap at these markings. These two Velcro pieces are used to secure the shoulder straps.
Step 9
Cut and glue one 3-inch by 3-inch Velcro strand to the underside, at the opposite end of the left shoulder strap. Repeat for the right shoulder strap. Your shoulder straps -- and posture brace -- are now complete. Strap on the brace, and adjust it as necessary.
Tip
Braces will not fix poor posture. Only conscientiousness and physical effort will make proper posture a daily habit and ultimately remedy discomfort.
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