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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

My breasts are causing me back and shoulder pain

36 replies

Happyeverafter73 · 30/07/2017 22:56

Bra straps dig into my shoulders causing me neck back and shoulder ache.

Does anyone else have this and is there a solution?

I've tried wider straps, no bra (that was mistake - breasts clapping together like castanets), sports bras.

Please can you help me?!

OP posts:
steff13 · 30/07/2017 22:59

How large are your breasts? I think reduction surgery is the obvious solution.

Original poster
Happyeverafter73 · 30/07/2017 23:04

DD cup. Not so large that I'd want a reduction but heavy enough that it causes back/shoulder/neck problems

OP posts:
Original poster
Happyeverafter73 · 30/07/2017 23:05

I'm spending a fucking fortune on chiropractors and osteopathy.

OP posts:
Changerofname987654321 · 30/07/2017 23:06

Do your bras fit properly? Have you been fitted properly ie not by M and S?

Sashkin · 30/07/2017 23:07

Smaller band size. There shouldn't be any weight going through the shoulder straps - you should be able to slip them off and on without much changing inside the bra.

steff13 · 30/07/2017 23:08

I'm a DD cup also. Have you been professionally fitted? I don't have any back/neck pain, and I wear these:

www.lanebryant.com/smooth-boost-plunge-bra/prd-155166#color/0000012202

I don't know if they're available there, though.

thatsnotmyrat · 30/07/2017 23:08

Are you sure that you have been properly measured? It can make a huge difference. If properly fitted they shouldn't dig in or cause marks. An e cup speaking.

Littlefish · 30/07/2017 23:09

I agree with changerofname. A well fitting bra does wonders. I have 36JJ breasts and only suffer with occasional lower back pain which may be more linked to a dodgy knee, than gargantuan breasts Grin. I always go to Bravissimo. I also make sure I have new bras ever 4 months or so as they start to go out of shape and lose their support.

Original poster
Happyeverafter73 · 30/07/2017 23:10

I got fitted by rigby and peller. Cup seems fine in that no spillageor gaps. But the straps dig. What does that mean?

OP posts:
House4 · 30/07/2017 23:11

Where are you buying your bad bra's from? Have you had them measured properly?
It shouldn't be that bad if ur only DD surely?
Choose a spare day you have and book an appointment to get them measured. I think you can book Marks and Spencers online. Someone else may be along soon to suggest a more appropriate shop that specialise in larger sizes. Then take as long as you need to try lots on and see what suits you.

Agoddessonamountaintop · 30/07/2017 23:11

You need to get in to weight training.Shoulder presses, lateral pull-downs - basically work yiur shoulders and your upper back - makes an amazing difference. Maybe see a physio, or even a decent personal trainer/strength and conditioning coach, who can give you a structured strengthening programme. It's amazing the difference it makes - and so satisfying to see muscles emerge.
I'm an h cup and have other problems as well as the weight of the boobs, but when I train regularly for few weeks I feel like a different person.

WeAllHaveWings · 30/07/2017 23:14

I had digging in straps for years until I was properly measured (was wearing a DD when I should have been two bands smaller and a G). There is now no weight on my shoulder straps and bras are much more comfortable. Most of the support in your bra should come from the band not the straps.

Agoddessonamountaintop · 30/07/2017 23:15

Oh yes and get fitted properly as well. DD isn't reay very big. What band size are you?

WeAllHaveWings · 30/07/2017 23:16

Post a thread in style and beauty titled bra intervention help needed and there are posters here who will help you get into the correct size.

Brighteyes27 · 30/07/2017 23:19

OP has already said she had been to Rigby and Peller who are specialist bra fitters a definite step up from M&S who I have found dreadful.
Happyeverafter73 - are you tall OP, what size bra are you wearing and what make of bra?
You can buy things that go over the strap from a specialist bra shop which may help a little but probably not enough. I think you maybe need to try a different bra? I am tall and have similar problems with my shoulder but I have put weight on and am buying a bigger size one called Prima Donna (little choice) and whilst the bra largely fits they are very strong bras with short shoulder straps which I know dig in and are too short for me.

Brighteyes27 · 30/07/2017 23:21

WeAllHaveWings OP has already said she has been to Rigby & Peller who are very specialist bra fitters who I am sure will be more accurate and specialist and M&S and a bra intervention FB site.

PaperdollCartoon · 30/07/2017 23:26

DDs aren't very big. The support should come from the band and the straps just sort of hold things up. If they're digging that much something's going wrong. I'd advise Bravissimo.

PaperdollCartoon · 30/07/2017 23:28

Maybe you just have them tightened up too much. If the band is giving the right amount of support they don't need to be really tight.

WeAllHaveWings · 30/07/2017 23:28

OP has already said she had been to Rigby and Peller

I did see that, I still found the bra intervention advice in S&B along with ordering new and different sizes/styles to try at home invaluable. OP if you google search mumsnet and bra intervention you will see some of the threads.

treaclesoda · 30/07/2017 23:29

DDs doesn't tell you anything at all about size. 28DD is a very small size. 44DD is a big size.

It's like saying you're a half size in a shoe, or a long leg in trousers - it doesn't tell you anything at all about the actual size.

ClopySow · 30/07/2017 23:32

I'd recommend bravissimo too. And a physio appointment.

I spent a fortune on a chiropractor for months, wouldn't give me exercises to do, told me i wasn't even allowed to walk, then saw an nhs physio who diagnosed the issue in 10 minutes and gave me exercises to do myself which helped within days and told me the chiropractor was basically full of shite.

NC4now · 30/07/2017 23:32

Agree with agodess. You need to strengthen your traps - the big triangular muscles between your shoulder blades. I'm an F cup and only get what you get if I wear racer back bras.

user1492324666 · 30/07/2017 23:37

Do you wear a soft bra at night? If I don't I get back ace and disturbed sleep.

Agoddessonamountaintop · 30/07/2017 23:42

Clopy reminds me - I spent a fortune and wasted years seeing osteos and chiros, they just want to keep taking your money. A decent physio wants you to get better and manage things yoursrlf so you don't have to keep coming back to them.

Rache11 · 30/07/2017 23:46

you should be able to slip them off and on without much changing inside the bra
GrinGrinGrinGrin
Sorry I have to laugh at that. Do you have pert boobs? Lucky you Grin I have gg's and there's no band on the planet that'll keep them up without strapsGrin I have permanent dents in my shoulders from my bra straps