Support or Sabotage? – The Hidden Power of Everyday Aids
- Brainz Magazine
- Jul 28
- 10 min read
Suzette Obiana-Martina, a seasoned Cesar Exercise Therapist, combines over 15 years of expertise with a unique, supportive approach to empower people in managing and preventing physical complaints. Her passion is teaching self-reliance through precise, therapeutic movement for lasting wellness.
We often rely on tools, pillows, footrests, walkers, and ergonomic chairs to support us through pain, recovery, or long work hours. But what if the way we use these tools is doing more harm than good? In this article, we explore how support aids can become true helpers only when used with intention, proper alignment, and guidance.
Tools of comfort or crutches of compensation?
Support aids are designed to help, but when misused or misunderstood, they can quietly turn into obstacles. What starts as comfort can become compensation. And when that happens, instead of encouraging healing, these tools may actually prolong pain or create new dysfunctions.
Let’s take a simple example: a pillow.
Many people rely on extra pillows for support while sleeping or sitting, especially when experiencing pain. But when the pillow is too high, too soft, or placed incorrectly, it can misalign the spine, put strain on the neck, and disrupt breathing.
The same goes for footrests used under desks or walkers placed too far in front of the body. They may feel supportive, but they often promote slouching, tension, or poor movement patterns.
Here’s what commonly happens when comfort becomes compensation:
You stop using your muscles actively because the aid takes over.
You rely on external support instead of internal control.
Your nervous system adapts to the “new normal,” reinforcing inefficient posture.
You become more passive in your movement instead of more aware.
As a posture and movement therapist, I often see clients who come to me frustrated that their pain isn’t improving, even though they’ve bought all the “right” tools. What we often discover is that those tools were not adapted to their unique body needs or were used as a substitute for active body awareness and posture correction.
A support aid should never replace your body’s natural function.
It should enhance it, gently guide it, or provide short-term relief while you rebuild strength, balance, and alignment.
The key is intention. If you use a tool to avoid discomfort, you’re likely compensating.
If you use it to support alignment and growth, then it becomes a true helper on your healing journey.
The most commonly misused sids: What you need to know
Many tools that are meant to support the body can actually work against it if used incorrectly. As a therapist, I often notice that people unknowingly misuse support aids either out of habit, a desire to ease discomfort quickly, or simply because no one ever explained how to use them properly.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the most common aids and how small adjustments can make a big difference:
Pillows
The problem:
Pillows that are too high or soft can push the head forward or sideways during sleep, putting strain on the neck and upper back.
Many people sleep with multiple pillows without considering spinal alignment.
What to do instead:
Choose a pillow that keeps your head in line with your spine, whether you sleep on your back or side.
If needed, place a small pillow under the knees (for back sleepers) or between the knees (for side sleepers) to support hip alignment.
Footrests
The problem:
Many people don’t actually know why they’re using a footrest, or what height is appropriate for their body and symptoms.
Instead of adjusting their position based on their needs, they stay in one fixed setup for hours, leading to stiffness, poor circulation, or more discomfort.
Let’s clarify:
A higher footrest can be helpful when used intentionally; for example, when someone has lower back pain and benefits from a slight backward pelvic tilt, flattening the lumbar curve to reduce pressure.
But if used without awareness or not alternated with other positions, it can lead to hip tightness, postural collapse, or reduced core activation.
What to do instead:
Understand your body’s needs: Do you need spinal relief, hip opening, or improved circulation?
Adjust the footrest height based on your purpose and change positions regularly throughout the day.
If you’re not sure what your body needs, get assessed by a posture therapist who can guide you based on your unique situation.
Walkers and canes
The problem:
Walkers that are too far from the body lead to hunching or leaning forward.
Canes held too low or on the wrong side reduce effectiveness and cause asymmetrical movement.
What to do instead:
Walkers should be close enough to keep you upright and balanced.
Canes should be adjusted to wrist height and used on the opposite side of the affected leg, unless otherwise advised by a therapist.
Back braces and supports
The problem:
Wearing braces for too long can weaken the core muscles and reduce natural stability.
Over-reliance leads to passivity and tension elsewhere in the body.
What to do instead:
Use braces short-term during acute pain or specific activities.
Combine them with exercises that strengthen the core and support your posture from within.
The key takeaway?
An aid should support alignment, not replace it.
Every tool must be adapted to your body, not the other way around.
When in doubt, get professional advice; it could prevent months or even years of avoidable discomfort.
From passive support to active alignment
A support aid should never replace the natural intelligence of your body; it should remind it, awaken it, and guide it back to balance. When used correctly, aids are not passive crutches but active tools in the journey toward improved alignment and movement.
The danger with overusing support is that the body becomes lazy.
Muscles stop firing. Joints become stiff. And instead of recovery, we reinforce imbalance.
Let’s take an example:
A back brace may feel great during a flare-up of pain. It gives immediate relief and a sense of safety. But if worn all day, every day, without retraining the core, it eventually replaces your own muscles.
The same goes for ergonomic chairs, orthopedic shoes, or even memory foam pillows. They can support you, but only when paired with active body awareness, posture practice, and variation.
As a movement therapist, I teach my clients to shift from dependency to participation. I often say:“
A tool should never do the work for you; it should remind your body how to do the work again.”
Here’s how to turn passive support into active recovery:
Use the tool as a cue, not a fix; let it remind you how alignment feels, not replace the effort.
Pair every support with movement: stretch, activate, and vary positions to avoid rigidity.
Set time limits; use aids for recovery phases, not as permanent solutions.
Stay curious; regularly reassess: “Is this still helping me, or am I relying on it too much?”
Healing happens when you become an active participant in your recovery. And that includes knowing when to let go of the tool and trust your body again.
In the next chapter, we’ll explore how to recognize the signs that your favorite support aid might actually be holding you back instead of lifting you up.
What to watch for: Signs your aid may be hurting you
Support aids are meant to make life easier, but what happens when they quietly start doing the opposite? When a helpful tool turns into a source of discomfort, tension, or imbalance, it’s time to reassess.
Here are common warning signs that your aid may be hurting more than helping:
1. New or shifting pain
You started using a pillow, brace, or walker for one issue, but now you feel discomfort in a different area.
For example:
Your neck pillow relieved shoulder tension, but now your lower back hurts.
Your footrest eased hip strain, but now your knees feel tight.
This may signal compensatory patterns, where one area relaxes, but another takes over the stress.
2. Increased stiffness or dependence
If you feel stiffer after using the aid or feel like you can’t move without it, that’s a red flag.
Look out for:
Relying on your back support just to sit up.
Needing your walker even in places where balance is not an issue.
Feeling weaker when you’re not using the tool.
Support should give you freedom, not fear of moving without it.
3. You forget to move
Some tools (like ergonomic chairs or laptop stands) are designed to improve posture, but if you sit in them for hours without getting up, they can make things worse.
Warning signs include:
Holding the same posture for too long.
Ignoring discomfort because the tool “feels ergonomic.”
Forgetting to activate your own muscles.
The human body thrives on variation, awareness, and movement, not stillness, even if well-supported.
4. Mental or emotional resistance
Sometimes the most telling signs aren’t physical; they’re internal:
“I don’t want to move because I’m scared I’ll feel pain again.”
“I can’t do this without my brace.”
“I’ve tried everything, nothing works.”
These thoughts may signal a growing sense of helplessness or over-reliance, which can block your healing process.
The bottom line? A support aid should empower you, not protect you from your own body.If any of these signs sound familiar, it may be time to reassess your setup, your habits, and your next steps.
In the next section, I’ll guide you through how to choose and use aids wisely so they truly serve your healing, not your hesitation.
How to choose and use aids wisely: A therapist’s advice
Support aids are not one-size-fits-all. Just because something is labeled “orthopedic” or “ergonomic” doesn’t mean it’s right for your body, your posture, or your healing process. True support begins with understanding, and it’s here that therapeutic guidance makes all the difference.
As a posture and movement therapist, these are the key principles I share with my clients when selecting and using aids:
1. Know your purpose first
Before using any tool, ask yourself:
What am I trying to relieve or support?
Is this a short-term solution or part of a longer-term habit?
Will this tool encourage me to move better or just avoid discomfort?
A support aid should match your body’s current need, not your fear or frustration.
2. Don’t guess – get assessed
Many people buy tools online or follow someone else’s advice without truly understanding what their body needs. But bodies are unique. What works for your colleague or partner may not work for you.
A professional movement or posture assessment can:
Identify the root cause of your pain or fatigue.
Detect compensation patterns you may not be aware of.
Help select the right tool, height, firmness, or placement.
It’s better to invest once in the right setup than to collect a dozen tools that don’t actually help.
3. Combine support with activity
Aids should never replace your own muscle activity or body awareness.
They should work with you, not for you.
Balance passive support with:
Core strengthening exercises
Stretching and mobility work
Postural awareness training
Movement variation throughout the day
Think of your tool as a training partner, not a bodyguard.
4. Reassess regularly
Your body changes. So should your setup.
Set reminders to check in every few weeks:
Is this tool still helping?
Has my pain shifted?
Am I moving better… or leaning more?
An aid should support your growth, not become your comfort zone.
5. Trust yourself (with guidance)
You live in your body. You feel what works and what doesn’t.
But learning to listen to it and act on that awareness takes practice.
Let your tools be bridges to self-trust, not barriers to movement.
In the final section, I’ll invite you to take the next step, whether that’s reviewing your current aids, booking a consultation, or simply becoming more mindful of how you support your body every day.
Because the goal is not to be dependent on tools, the goal is to feel supported from within.
Ready to reclaim control over your tools and your body?
Support tools are just that, tools. They are not the solution by themselves. The real solution lies in how you use them, how you move with them, and how connected you are to your body’s signals and needs.
If you’ve been using pillows, braces, footrests, walkers, or ergonomic chairs, but your pain is still there, your posture feels off, or you’ve started depending on these aids more than you'd like, then this is your sign to pause and reassess.
As a licensed Posture and Movement Therapist with years of experience guiding people of all ages, I can help you:
Evaluate the tools you currently use and whether they’re helping or hindering. I can teach you how to use them with intention and awareness. Strengthen your body from within so that you feel stable, supported, and free again. Replace compensation with true alignment and control.
You don’t need to throw your tools away; you just need to understand them better.
Let’s work together to make sure your aids truly support your healing, your lifestyle, and your potential.
Book a personalized assessment or consultation today:
WhatsApp: +5999 5156576
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Because the best tool you’ll ever have... is a body you can trust again.
Read more from Suzette Obiana - Martina
Suzette Obiana - Martina, Cesar Exercise Therapist
Suzette Obiana-Martina, a licensed Cesar Exercise Therapist with over 15 years of experience, empowers patients to modify daily habits that contribute to their physical complaints. She provides quality time and tailored solutions to improve their personal and professional lives. Her mission is to make people self-reliant, equipping them to manage their own well-being. With extensive training in corporate exercise therapy, foot therapy, coronary diseases, psychology, and psychosomatics, Suzette connects deeply with her patients. By fostering positive encouragement, Suzette helps patients achieve more than they ever thought possible.
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