Can your breasts be the reason for your back pain? In today’s day and age, experiencing back pain is kind of a given, no matter what your age or gender is. Mainly because of the way we conduct our lives. However, there are other reasons why you may be experiencing back pain; Accidents, traumatic physical injuries, sports, and exercise can all leave you with a sore back.
One cause of back pain that’s not paid as much attention to is large breasts. It can result in just as much if not more agony. It’s a reason why many women choose to undergo breast reduction surgery; and to get an idea of the aesthetic outcome, you can go through the before/after photo gallery of breast reduction results at Longevita.
How Large Breasts Cause Back Pain?
Contrary to popular belief, it’s not just the weight of the breasts and the effects of gravity that result in pain in the back, neck and shoulders, although a lot of the problems arise from the weight of the breasts. Large breasts change the posture of the person in that they’re constantly weighed down forward and downward.
The problem may be exacerbated to the extent that the woman may end up with spinal deformity. Meanwhile, the back muscles are trying to attain a normal spinal alignment, which causes fatigue. The chest muscles also aren’t able to provide adequate support. The constant digging in of the bra straps causes further problems. And if the bra size isn’t correct, which is quite common, the breasts aren’t supported properly. This also affects the spinal curvature and eventually results in more pain.
According to one study published in the Open Orthopaedics Journal having a larger bra cup size was correlated with pain in the shoulder and neck. In another study published in Chiropractic & Manual Therapies in 2013 found that large breasts in obese, postmenopausal women resulted in thoracic pain. It may have been the result of their weight and incorrect bra size. Having large breasts can also result in disc herniation or a fracture of the spine. Moreover, it can result in osteoarthritis. All these problems can result in back pain because of large breasts.
How Can You Know That Your Back Pain is Related to Your Breasts?
Of course, not every kind of back pain results from having large breasts. Other factors may be at play here. However, there are a few ways by which you can find out if your breasts are the ones causing back problems.
Bra Strap Cut
It’s a common fitting issue. Many women end up with bras that are a cup too small. What happens is that the bra straps end up cutting into the shoulders. It may also be due to the very large band size. It may sound harmless, but it can actually put pressure on the nerves and the blood vascular system. It can also leave the shoulders sore and in pain.
Rashes or Infections Under the Breast
That happens because of the constant rubbing of the skin folds at the bottom of the breasts and the chest area. This results in rashes, your skin may appear red and raw. It can also cause discomfort when you’re wearing a bra. Moreover, the accumulation of sweat in the skin pocket can result in infections. If you frequently experience these problems and back pain, your breasts may be to blame.
Breast Size
According to one study published in Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, women whose bra cup size was D had a more abnormal posture. For this, the breast size itself is responsible. You only need to take a look at your bra size to know if your breasts might be the reason for your back, neck or shoulder pain.
What Can You Do for Your Breast-related Back Pain?
Many women try out custom bras to provide better support to their breasts. However, it may not always be a convenient solution. So, there are other treatment options:
Breast Reduction Surgery
In a breast reduction surgery, the surgeon removes excess fat, skin, and tissue. The surgery gives permanent results. It’s a reason why many women are recommended this treatment option if they’re suffering from chronic breast-related back pain.
According to one study by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), 179 women with DD cups got breast reduction surgery due to various aches and pain. However, more than 160 women stopped experiencing pain in the neck, shoulders, and back after they’d gotten breast reduction surgery. You can discuss this treatment option with your surgeon.
Diet and Exercise
Since breasts primarily contain fat, it is possible to reduce the size of your breasts through diet and exercise. An increase in weight can result in an increase in the size of your breasts. It also works the other way around. So, you can consider cutting calories in your diet and exercising.
If you’re experiencing pain in the back, it’s best to book an appointment with your doctor for an accurate diagnosis. S/he will discuss different treatment options with you.
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- Can your breasts be the reason for your back pain? - 12th January 2022
