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The upper part of the spine is built
to withstand a significant amount of weight and it acts as an anchor to
the rib cage and supports the upper body. However, like with lower back
pain, upper back pain is most often caused by strain on the muscles and
ligaments from poor posture and repetitive motions.
For women with very large breasts, it doesn’t take hours spent hunched
over a computer or a vigorous gym session to cause upper back pain. The
sheer weight of their breasts alone can be enough to cause back pain,
sometimes even leading to long-term chronic pain that lasts for months
or years.
Furthermore, women with particularly large breasts tend to feel
self-conscious about the size of their busts and unconsciously tend to
hunch over in an effort to minimise their size which can worsen existing
back pain.
The chronic pain can spread from the back to their necks and even affect
their shoulders because heavy-duty bra straps dig into their skin and
leave permanent and painful marks.
Here Are A Few Relief Tips;
1. Try Alternative Exercise
Trying out alternative exercises can be a great way of managing
breast-related back pain as well as strengthening your body and muscles
in general. You can try yoga for back and shoulder pain and learning to
relax your body. The gentle stretching releases muscle and joint
tension, and stiffness, and also increases flexibility.
If weight-training is more your thing, there are workouts for preventing
back pain. Working with a physiotherapist or personal trainer can
improve posture and encourage weight loss in women who are overweight.
2. Wear The Right Bra Size
Studies have proven that women with larger breasts were more likely to
wear the incorrect bra size. It’s a common belief the wrong fit, and the
poor posture that results from it, can lead to upper back pain.
Researchers concluded bra fit appeared to be unrelated to pain. But if a
bra was poorly fitted, it could impair its function as breast support.
This could cause certain levels of discomfort and lead to pain and
permanent damage.
Wearing a customised bra or a sports bra that is specially designed is
ideal because these types of bras can help distribute and support the
weight of large breasts, especially for women with narrow backs, who
have a more concentrated distribution of weight than women whose backs
are wider.
3. Try And Lose Excess Weight
If you have a slim frame, chances are that any excess weight will
contribute to more pressure on your back and shoulders. Also, bear in
mind that breasts are essentially lumps of fat. Achieving a healthy
weight will make both your frame and breasts lighter, which, in turn,
can alleviate unnecessary tension and chronic neck and back pain.
To lose weight sustainable, aim to lose two pounds weekly. Come up with a
weekly meal plan. If you are morbidly obese, consulting with a licensed
nutritionist and your doctor to come up with a strict, monitored weight
loss program.
4. Medication
Taking an occasional over-the-counter pain killer when upper back pain
strikes is just fine and an immediate way to relieve breast pain. If the
pain is too much, your doctor can prescribe stronger medication to help
manage the more severe pain caused by large breasts.
However, keep in mind that painkillers for back pain caused by large
breasts are not intended as a long-term solution and if pain becomes
chronic, you may have to seek alternative solutions.
5. See A Specialist
A leading back doctor can also help address your back pain and put
together and effective and non-invasive treatment plan to provide back
pain relief.
Your first step is telling your doctor who will be more than happy to refer you and get you the help you need.
If you are suffering from upper back pain due to large breasts, talk
with your doctor. Together, you can put together a plan that will be
effective for you.
