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.