Many people experience back pain at some point in their life. For some, it can stem from tension, poor posture, overexertion, excess weight, and many other factors. One factor that largely contributes to back pain for many women is large breasts.
How Large Breasts Cause Back Pain
D-cup breasts can weigh between 16 and 24 pounds. Breasts that size can exert unnecessary force on the chest, which requires a counterbalance on the neck, shoulders, and back. All of these factors can lead to muscle strain and chronic pain. The extra weight can also contribute to issues with posture, as the muscles begin to tire from fighting to stay straight and the upper back begins to curve forward.
Other contributing factors can include women who might feel self-conscious about their large breasts may adjust their posture to hide or minimize the appearance of their breasts by hunching or rolling their shoulders in. These posture adjustments can lead to severe back and shoulder pain. They may also find themselves unable to find a bra that fits, leading to discomfort from the straps digging into the shoulders and shifting the body’s balance in an unhelpful way.
Lastly, large breasts can also lead to women being incapable of performing physical activities that could possibly strengthen their backs and torsos and improve their overall flexibility. Large breasts can make many activities awkward, difficult, or nearly impossible, and also incredibly uncomfortable. This is due to the pressure the breasts place on the chest cavity, which can make it challenging to take a deep breath.
How To Address Breast-Related Back Pain
Back pain related to large breasts can be remedied in a few different ways. Here are a few methods you can try to address back pain if you have large breasts.
- Find A Bra That Fits: Shop around for bras that aren’t too tight and have wide shoulder straps to help support and distribute the weight. Customized bras and sports bras can support the weight of your breasts and make movements more comfortable. This might seem like an obvious piece of advice, but two-thirds to three-quarters of all women wear bras with the wrong cup, band, and shoulder strap size.
- Keep A Healthy Weight: When women gain weight, the breasts are often affected. The extra fat can also add weight to the abdomen, forcing the back to work harder to keep the body in balance. If you’re carrying around some excess weight, losing it with a healthy diet and exercise plan may help resolve back issues.
Consider A Breast Reduction
If you’ve done everything to try to support or reduce your large breasts, but the issues with back pain continue to persist, you might consider breast reduction surgery. This procedure can have cosmetic and medical benefits and may be the only method to permanently resolve chronic pain. Breast reduction surgery can give you the look you want and allow you more opportunities for a more active lifestyle. If large breasts contribute to your back, neck, or shoulder pain, reducing their size could help resolve the chronic pain you’ve been experiencing.
Learn More About Breast Reduction Surgery in Newport Beach, CA
Double board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Tim Sayed has been practicing cosmetic and reconstructive surgery for over 13 years. His impeccable skill, attention to detail, and commitment to patient happiness and well-being are second to none.
If you are interested to see how Dr. Sayed can help you through cosmetic breast surgery, your next step is to schedule a friendly and informative consultation with Dr. Sayed. Contact our practice today at (858) 247-2933 or through our website to reserve your spot today.