MUST KNOW: Wearing the Wrong Size of Bra Could cause Constant Headaches, Tummy Problems & Breathing Difficulty

According to recent research conducted by bra manufacturer, Triumph, 76 percent of women are wearing the wrong size of bra.

Daily Mail reports that wearing a bra that is either too small or too big can have health implications including recurrent headaches, irritable bowel syndrome, joint pain, and upper back pain.

During their research, Triumph surveyed a large amount of women to find out reasons why they wear wrong bras. Here are the most common reasons:

• Majority of women had never been fitted for a bra, and so were unaware of their actual bra size
• Others deliberately bought bras in the wrong size “in the hope it would boost or minimise their cleavage”
• Some bought the wrong bra because “they wanted a particular style or colour and their size was out of stock”

The report further states the effects of wearing bras that either too big or too small.
Adverse effects of wearing bras that are too small
Physiotherapist Sammy Margo, spokesperson for the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy, said:

“I often find a direct link between my female patients’ back, neck and postural problems — and their bras. If a bra is too tight, it can create pressure on the nerves, muscles and blood vessels around the shoulders, upper back and rib cage, leading to pain, headaches, and even constant pins and needles in the arms. Even more seriously, over time, too tight bra straps worn day in and day out can start to squash the acromioclavicular joint — which is at the top of the shoulder — affecting its range of movement and the function of the arm, along with constant pain.”

In addition, the report states that wearing bras that are too tight can cause lumps or lesions on the skin. These are caused by the hooks on the back of bras digging into the skin.

Adverse effects of wearing bras that are too large

Margo stated:

Wearing a bra that doesn’t support the breasts efficiently can lead to postural problems, such as rounded or hunched shoulders, as the woman will naturally sit and stand awkwardly to compensate for her unsupportive, ill-fitting bra. If your cup size is a C or larger, the problems with wearing a loose, unsupportive bra can be even worse.

Larger, poorly supported breasts will sit on the rib cage, putting pressure on the diaphragm, which can cause you breathing problems. The weight of the breasts combined with poor posture and a sedentary lifestyle can even exacerbate digestive problems, such as heartburn and IBS.

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