Why Breasts Can Cause Neck Pain

The spine is frequently the victim of vanity in the form of artificial delights. As with this case, the "D"-lights can be too heavy.

Bras:

Are your straps digging into your shoulders and creating grooves? By pulling on the shoulders, bra straps can pull a woman into the dreaded turtle-like posture which creates poor alignment for the neck as the shoulders and head thrust forward. Once again, poor posture causes pain. A poorly fitting bra can be the culprit. A well fitting bra supports like a shelf from below, not hanging on the shoulders from above. Eliminating bad bras may liberate you from neck pain.

One of my patients was liberated from her chronic neck pain when she realized that her pain reduced when she wore camisoles or nothing at all under her shirts. Varying her bra strap patterns also helped because the strap position on her shoulders (from higher to lower) varied from day to day. She never got stuck in a bad groove again. Her neck pain eased as a result.

Wardrobe choices have an impact on the spine in more ways than one, especially for women. Bras can increase your risk of developing neck pain.

Medical research tends to ignore the gender differences. One cannot ignore the anatomical differences. When was the last time you saw a man wearing a bra? The breasts' impact on neck pain can be underestimated by both patient and doctor.  A woman's perception about her breasts affects her posture. The bust size and weight affects her balance. And the bra can lead to shoulder grooving and pulling. All of the "B's" affect the neck. Keep the triple "B's" in mind the next time you are experiencing neck pain.  Then, lift up your shirt and ask yourself, "What about these?" because you should never underestimate the power of your breasts.

More solutions for women can be found in my book called "High Heels to Hormones: A Woman's Guide to Spine Care."