Managing scoliosis symptoms day-to-day can be challenging for anyone. However, this is especially the case for children who simply wish to live an average lifestyle. Traditional scoliosis braces are rigid and bulky; they provide the proper corrective pressure, yet they’re restrictive and noticeable under standard clothing. Fortunately, there are several ways to hide these medical devices without sacrificing the support your child needs. Use these five tips to wear your scoliosis brace under your clothes, and never worry about the limitations again.
Wear Clothes With a Looser Fit
First, consider purchasing clothing that’s slightly big on your child. Go up a size or look for brands that run a little large. Since tighter garments will dig into the brace and make it more noticeable, loose clothes are ideal for sliding over its surface and hiding some of the bulk. The additional fabric also makes these garments easier to pull on once you’ve secured the brace.
Use Breathable Materials
We also recommend choosing clothes made from breathable materials. Scoliosis braces can inhibit airflow to the skin, making your child retain heat and feel uncomfortable. But by wearing fabrics like cotton, nylon, or polyester—ones that let in air and wick away sweat—they’ll find it easier to maintain a standard body temperature.
Layer Up
Another tip to wear your scoliosis brace under your clothes is to layer up your child’s outfits. Layers never go out of style, and they’re a great way to hide a brace. T-shirts and sweaters are particularly useful, as they provide an extra pop of color while creating space between the surface of the brace and the outermost fabric.
Embrace Accessories
Accessories can be an asset as well. Shiny and statement-making, these items do more than draw attention to your child’s fashion sense. In fact, they can pull a viewer’s attention away from certain things—like the bulkiness of a brace.
Purchase the Right Type of Brace
Above all, though, you’ll want to purchase the right type of brace for your child. Recent advancements in medical technology have yielded lighter and thinner models that provide the same amount of support. These leading efforts in non-surgical treatment keep the spine in alignment and fit flawlessly under a wider variety of clothing. As such, they’re much easier to hide as your child goes about their daily activities.
Finding the right scoliosis brace for kids can give your child a chance to live life on their terms and still undergo the treatment they require. So don’t let another day go by without that accommodation.
FAQs
Consider layering your clothes.
Layering your clothes can be a great way to add warmth and style while wearing a scoliosis brace. Start with a soft, breathable base layer, such as a cotton tank top or t-shirt. Then, add a loose-fitting blouse or sweater on top.
How to wear a scoliosis brace with clothes? ›
Consider layering your clothes.
Layering your clothes can be a great way to add warmth and style while wearing a scoliosis brace. Start with a soft, breathable base layer, such as a cotton tank top or t-shirt. Then, add a loose-fitting blouse or sweater on top.
Should I wear my scoliosis brace to bed? ›
Generally, people with moderate scoliosis wear their brace between 12 and 20 hours a day. Night-time bracing is used in some patients for mild curves or when full-time bracing is not possible. A scoliosis brace is like medicine: it only works if you use it as prescribed.
How do you go to the bathroom with a scoliosis brace? ›
It is more comfortable when there is something between you and the brace. Loose-fitting clothing will hide the brace better than form-fitting clothing. Bras without underwire may be more comfortable. To make using the bathroom easier while wearing the brace, wear your underwear over the brace.
How can I hide my scoliosis brace? ›
Wear Clothes With a Looser Fit
Since tighter garments will dig into the brace and make it more noticeable, loose clothes are ideal for sliding over its surface and hiding some of the bulk. The additional fabric also makes these garments easier to pull on once you've secured the brace.
How to dress with a back brace? ›
Clothing cuts and styles
A-line dresses also skim past the area where your brace fits, so this shape is helpful as well. Tops should have an unconstructed look that flows out from your body around the waist. Empire waists are another good option for camouflaging the bulk of a back brace.
What sleeping position is good for scoliosis? ›
Providers usually recommend back sleeping for scoliosis. Your pillow placement can increase your comfort if you have always preferred back sleeping or want to try it. Put a thin pillow under your neck to avoid propping your head up too high and prevent neck flexion.
Are scoliosis braces painful? ›
It's normal for a brace to be uncomfortable for the first couple of weeks, but the brace shouldn't hurt. If it does, the family probably needs to go back to the orthotist to have it adjusted. Also, the patient's skin should not be red or blistering.
When can I stop wearing my scoliosis brace? ›
A child or adolescent should wear their scoliosis brace until they stop growing. For teens, this is about 2 years, but for younger children, it can be much longer. Scoliosis braces are most effective if a person wears them as their doctor prescribes.
How do you sit with a scoliosis brace? ›
It is advised to try and keep your knees lower than your hips and your feet flat on the floor. Try to avoid crossing your legs, as this stops you aligning your body properly and can lead to lower back pain, If possible, try to move frequently, as staying still for too long can make your muscles feel tight and tense.
A couple of other temporary issues can happen with braces. For example, some kids may not be able to breathe as deeply with the brace on. Or the brace may feel too tight right after eating. But the biggest problem with scoliosis braces is that some kids don't want to wear them.
How tight should a scoliosis brace be? ›
Your orthotist can help you purchase a comfortable shirt. Wear the brace as tightly as possible. A loose brace will rub and cause skin irritation. A dusting of cornstarch may be helpful in hot weather, or on skin that is sensitive to alcohol.
How not to sit with scoliosis? ›
Try to sit back in a chair with your weight on your buttocks and thighs and your back straight. Try not to sit forward on the edge of your seat and keep the pelvis neutral (not tilting forward or backwards).
What are the disadvantages of a scoliosis brace? ›
The brace can worsen a secondary curve if there is any because it only addresses the major or primary curvature. The brace leads to decreased muscle activity and eventual weakness, though not as severe as other braces. Published research discovered no advantage in 83 patients that wore the brace daily for 1-2 years.
Can you shower with a scoliosis brace? ›
Remove brace and bathe or shower each day. Wear a clean T-shirt daily and use only 100% cotton without ribbing. Apply alcohol to the red areas for the first two weeks and allow your skin to dry before applying brace. Change your T-shirt frequently if damp.
Do you wear a brace over or under clothes? ›
You should generally wear a knee brace directly against your skin, as wearing on the outside of pants can push the brace down the leg, causing it to be in the wrong position.
Are you supposed to wear a back brace over your clothes? ›
Wearing a shirt under the brace is usually needed to minimize skin irritation. Some doctors may even recommend or provide shirts that work best. In general, a shirt that is fitted and made of soft cotton fabric will prevent irritation. A baggy shirt may aggravate the skin.
How to dress when you have scoliosis? ›
Layering is the perfect way to hide your uneven joints or the outline of your scoliosis brace (if you wear one). Denim jackets, cardigans and button-downs are always in fashion, and they're great for adding a little extra coverage. Some scoliosis sufferers also use shoulder pads to balance out their uneven shoulders.
What not to wear with scoliosis? ›
One of the easiest ways to mask scoliosis is avoid tightly fitting clothing. Individuals with scoliosis tend to be small framed, and long waisted, so their bones are very pronounced. Tight shirts can reveal the asymmetry more obviously, hence why your scoliosis doctor takes pictures of your posture in such clothing.
