Latest news with #underwire
News.com.au
a day ago
- Health
- News.com.au
Hidden health risks: What your bra could be doing to your body
You think that underwire is holding you up? Turns out it could be holding you back. Bras are pesky, uncomfortable, and — if you've got sensory issues like me — downright irritating. But it turns out they can be causing serious damage, too. Preventing you from breathing properly, standing tall, and even feeling calm. Yikes. From pinched nerves to posture problems, scientists and bra-fitters alike are spilling the boob tea. The wrong bra (and sometimes any bra) can be a total health saboteur. And yes, this includes the holy sports bra. Before you start a bonfire to burn all your bras for good, here's what can be causing issues, and how to fix them. First, let's address the urban legend. Bras do not cause breast cancer. There's evidence, including a population-based case-control study of postmenopausal women, found no link between bra wearing and cancer risk. That's regardless of underwire or hours worn. Now, strap in. Here's the ugly truth about what's lying under your T-shirt. Neck, shoulder and back pain Those trenches in your shoulders aren't just annoying, they're bad news. Deep grooves and red marks are signs your shoulders are carrying way too much weight. For women with a D-cup or larger, each breast can weigh 1.3kg or more. So, a bad fit turns into a literal load on your neck and spine, leading to poor posture, neck and back pain, tension headaches and long-term spinal misalignment. Clinical reports even cite narrow, tight straps from heavy-breasted women causing nerve and blood vessel compression in the clavicle area, a condition nicknamed 'bra strap syndrome.' Breathing and lymph flow restrictions Underwires and overly snug bands don't just squish your boobs. They can compress your rib cage, making it harder to breathe deeply, and can slow lymphatic drainage, the body's natural waste-removal system. Some experts also flag the use of nickel, latex, and BPA in bra materials as potential skin irritants and allergens. Anxiety and shallow breathing One lingerie designer warns that bra-induced shallow breathing can trigger the body's stress response, leaving you feeling tense without realising why. That tight band isn't just cutting off your comfort, it could literally be cutting into your calm. 'Wearing something that hurts or digs or reminds you all day long that your body doesn't fit the mould … and that takes a toll,' Bree McKeen told New York Post. 'The discomfort can be distracting, exhausting, even demoralising.' Worst offender: The underwire push-up It's the one most of us have owned at least once, and according to McKeen, it's the style doing the most damage. The underwire push-up bra pushes breast tissue into unnatural shapes, digs into delicate areas, compresses lymph pathways, and sets the stage for skin irritation and scarring. That perky lift could be costing you your long-term comfort. Even sports bras have a dark side Sure, they're great for high-impact workouts, but a University of Portsmouth study found overly restrictive sports bras can shift too much load to the spine, forcing back muscles to overcompensate. Over time, that can lead to serious back pain and strain. So, are there proven benefits to going braless? A 15-year French study tracked 330 women aged 18–35 and found those who went braless saw firmer, perkier breasts (around 7mm of nipple lift per year), better posture, deeper breathing, and less back pain. Sign, Me. Up. Researchers also suggested bras may weaken natural muscle support over time. Critics did point out the study's sample wasn't representative and factors like pregnancy weren't accounted for. But it still challenges the long-held belief that constant strapping equals better support. Now, for the large-bust crew reading this, I'm sure you're rolling your eyes. And your scepticism is valid. If your daily reality includes heavier breasts pulling your spine into a permanent hunch, going braless might sound like a sick joke. Here's the nuance: Support can help initially: If you've relied on bras for decades, quitting cold turkey may worsen posture or pain at first. Experts recommend gradually reducing wear while strengthening upper-back and chest muscles. Fit is everything: Around 80–85 per cent of women wear the wrong bra size, which means the band rides up your back, straps do all the heavy lifting, and pain piles on. Better strap design matters: Wide, vertical straps (around 4.5 cm) or gel-padded options have been shown to reduce shoulder pressure during activity. So … do you torch all of your bras now? Not necessarily. The villain is bad fit and over-reliance, not every bra ever made. Choose breathable fabrics, adjustable straps, and proper measurements. If you're feeling up to it, go braless when you can. especially at home.
Daily Mail
02-07-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Hate underwires? Feel intense relief when you take your bra off? You could be making the same mistake as 85% of women, according to a lingerie expert
Wearing the wrong size bra is incredibly common; in fact, some estimates say up to 85% of women in the UK aren't wearing the right size. This is partly because many women think bra fitting is a one-and-done experience. You get your bra professionally fitted in your late teens, for example, and then stick with it for years. However, women's bodies change and fluctuate - not just over years but even within the same month, thanks to the menstruation cycle. That's why it's best to get measured more regularly, if possible. If you're hesitant to commit to regular fittings, it's at least worth arming yourself with the knowledge of what an ill-fitting bra looks and feels like. Below, Alexandra Cracknell, Senior Designer at lingerie brand Dorina, shares her expertise on the signs you are wearing the wrong size bra. You avoid underwire at all costs Underwire isn't supposed to hurt you and if it does, that is a sign you are wearing the wrong size or style for your body type. A well-fitting underwire bra should feel effortless and like nothing at all on the body. If an underwire bra is hurting, it is likely the wire is sitting on the breast tissue rather than the body. Not many women know where breast tissue starts, so when you press your finger on the wire of the bra, if you are not feeling your ribs, you are feeling your breast tissue. This breast tissue needs to be fully in the cup for the correct fit. You feel intense relief when you take it off Feeling really intense relief at the end of the day when you take your bra off should not be a normal feeling; a well-fitting bra shouldn't feel like a cage you're escaping from. The underband of the bra should sit firmly on the body if it is fitting correctly. It should not be too tight or too loose. The band should be parallel to the floor all the way around the body. If you sigh with relief at the end of the day when you take your bra off this is a clear sign to go and get measured! You have neck pain or headaches An ill-fitting bra, particularly one with a loose band around the torso, can cause neck and upper back strain, which can lead to tension headaches. To negate this, find a bra with a better-fitting band, as it distributes weight more evenly and relieves pressure on your neck and shoulder muscles. Wide, adjustable straps can help this as it reduces straining on the shoulder. A clear way to spot your bra is too loose on your underband is to check in a mirror how it is sitting. If it is riding up your back with the back clasp sitting higher compared to the front of your bra then you're in the wrong size. You constantly feel tired Yes, that is right - your bra can be making you feel tired. If you are physically exhausted by the middle of the day and it feels like your upper body is dragging, your bra might be the reason. A supportive, well-fitting bra should make you feel lifted, not weighed down. You have red marks or dents on the skin Dents in the skin from bra straps are common, but red marks under your breasts or on your ribcage can mean the underwire or band is too tight or not sitting right on your body. Breasts should be fully encased in the cup and the wire resting on the ribs rather than breast tissue. The correct bra fit should not be irritating and causing skin indentations. Your clothes aren't fitting right If your top isn't fitting right, sitting oddly with buttons gapping or you have to keep adjusting your neckline, it might be your bra underneath. A correctly sized bra should give a smooth fit and flattering shape under your clothes. You are always pushing your bra down If you feel like you constantly have to readjust your bra, because it is riding up or shifting, it is because your bra doesn't fit right. Your bra should stay put and should feel secure even without adjusting throughout the day. When a woman comes in for a fitting, typically she is wearing a band that is too big and a cup size that is too small. If the underband is lifting and riding up her back, the bra is the wrong size and the breasts are not supported as they should be. Bras also have a shelf life - if your bra used to fit perfectly and you haven't changed shape, however you find yourself having to tighten the straps or it no longer supports you as it used to, this is a clear sign to invest in a new bra. The fibres in the elastics break down with washing and over time it doesn't feel as supportive.
