Producing the Small Waist (and health considerations):
During the late 19th and early 20th century, when fashion demanded very tight corseting, the overall effects became better understood. The key was to reach the physiological limit while preserving health and maintaining a reasonable level of comfort. The focus of serious figure training is the ribcage which is much less pliable than the waist and if the intention of the training is to narrowly taper the ribcage, the corset must be designed to keep its form with the added strain. Maker and tightlacer Amy Crower of Wasp Creations has the reputation of specifically designing corsets for figure training and there are others as well. This was the primary reason for mothers to start corset training their daughters at an early age where the ribs are very pliable, allowing for a very narrow ribcage with relatively modest effort. By starting before the bones would "set", the ribs would grow into the shape of the corset without much effort. Most important is to ensure that tightlacing never causes pain, which would indicate that harm is being done. Corsets, no matter how tight, may be very restrictive, but should never hurt.
Opponents to corseting and tightlacing will disagree on the health issues and are against wearing any restrictive clothing. They cite medical reports that would have indicated that tight laced women have “immobilized diaphragms, compressed stomachs and lungs, displaced and damaged livers. Yet the manner in which tightlacing affects these organs, none of these effects are health threatening, they simply are the result of body adaptation to tightlacing, or for example pregnancy, as already mentioned. The fact that tight lacers feel good about themselves and their habit and are generally in good health, confirms this and this can not be overlooked. The internal organs are very pliable and almost liquid like and move around and change shape with minimal effort. If this was not the case, the organs would be like wooden props stacked in a model and we would not be able to sit, bend or even walk, or be able to support any pregnancy! Simply eating a large meal will expand the stomach, displace the liver and push up the diaphragm. A tight corset just prevents this type of over eating. Most of the effort involved in tightlacing is because of the effort needed to mold the ribcage, but also to support the torso, because the torso muscles will relax more and more as the corset is made tighter. If anything, corsets support the body and the internal organs and if anything are likely more beneficial than thought. If any discomfort arises, it can come from forming the ribs too fast. This is not dangerous, but can be painful and cause temporary irritation. The cartilage that connects the lower ribs to the sternum is what is formed by training the ribcage and it requires time and more time as you are older when you start. No permanent damage is done, but it can be quite uncomfortable if you went "too fast too quickly". (for further discussion on the topic, look at the "Health" page)
Even the prominent 19th British Physician Dr. W. Williams of Liverpool, who had been outspoken against corseting and in particular tightlacing, admitted his frustration in that he could not explain the fact that his patients who practiced habitual tightlacing for decades, all were in good health and lived well into old age. He cited the "deformation" of the ribcage, yet other than it creating dependency on thoracic or upper costal breathing it had no further consequence other than the obvious reduction in breathing capacity. This "deformation" however was the actual intention and goal of the wearer and rather, it was considered an essential and desirable element of beautification.
Discomfort may be experienced from the shaping pressure on the ribs, which after a full days wear may have become sensitive. It is important to unlace slowly to avoid discomfort from sudden release. For training there is comfort to be found by wearing a corset during the night as well. This avoids losing the progress made during the day, by allowing the body to adapt more naturally and gradually. It takes a few days or up to a week to get used to sleeping corseted and this should be build up gradually, but generally after that first period, the sleep quality is not affected. For night time wear the corset can be relaxed by one or two inches, without losing to much in terms of training. Once used to sleeping corseted, the night time tightness level can be increased, until after a few weeks or months there is no difference between the day and night time tightness. Use pillows under your waist in the sides or back to sleeep more comfortable.
Opponents will still disagree and point out that the body is being 'deformed' by corseting. Maybe it is envy from those who cannot or do not want to tolerate tight corsets. Everyone, except a few, will always appreciate the enhanced shape. The flattened abdomen, the narrow waist and the erect posture are all pleasing to the eye. For the proponents who enjoy corsets, the effects are all desirable and any form of permanency is seen as an achievement and a reward in itself.
