An orthosis (protective pad) for placing on a supporting surface to lie adjacent the breasts of a subject lying prone on the surface, the orthosis comprising: (a) a central portion extending along a longitudinal axis of the orthosis to be receivable between the breasts of the subject to support the sternum and (b) opposed portions extending bilaterally outwardly from a cephalad end of the central portion to support the clavicle and/or upper ribcage/costal cartilage (“cephalad portions”) and/or (c) opposed portions extending bilaterally outwardly from a caudal end of the central portion to support the lower ribcage/costal cartilage and/or upper abdomen (“caudal portions”), the portions being configured such that spaces are defined laterally outward of the longitudinal axis and the breasts are displaced laterally and/or superolaterally to occupy the spaces.
