Back pain, including thoracic spinal pain, is a common, potentially disabling, routine presenting complaint to general practitioners. Macromastia is the state of having disproportionately large breasts. Some macromastic women report breast pain and other symptoms, and the intuitively logical assumption is that breast size is the key influence on clinical presentation. Clinical symptoms attributed to macromastia include neck, thoracic spine and shoulder pain, breast pain, headaches, grooving and associated pain caused by bra straps, intertrigo (inflammation of skinfolds), and ulnar nerve paresthesia.
Breast size and mass changes across the life-span suggesting that macromastic symptoms may occur episodically during particular stages of life. Although these symptoms are widely reported, the relationship between breast size and symptoms is somewhat unclear. Breast mass and breast density appear to be important variables. Most outcome studies of reduction mammaplasties support the view that larger breasts equate to greater health burden and demonstrate this relationship through symptom improvement post-surgery, but a recent review of 59 women who underwent reductions involving the removal of less than 1000 g of breast tissue showed that small reductions in breast mass may result in statistically significant improvements in macromastic symptoms.
Breast-related thoracic spinal pain is thought to result from changes in centre of gravity. Recent research has demonstrated that static spinal posture differs significantly according to breast size. large breasts can increase cervical lordosis and thoracic kyphosis, shift the centre of gravity away from the spine and increase muscular effort required to maintain balance. The research also suggested that large or heavy breasts may also lead to continuous tension on the middle and lower fibres of the trapezius muscle and associated muscle groups.
They estimated that 70% of women wear bras that are incorrect sizes or poorly fitted. It was proposed that elevation of the breasts in a bra increased downward forces on the outer scapula. It was also suggested that the posterior straps of a bra act as pulleys over the shoulders, effectively doubling the total downward pull on both shoulders. Associated neck, shoulder and back pain could then, at least partially, be attributed to fatigue in muscles that reverse scapular depression (eg: trapezius, serratus anterior). Bra-strap pressure is only somewhat linked to bust mass: small busted women with tight straps may experience considerable downward pressure on their shoulders.
Breast size and mass vary throughout life, influenced by hormonal changes, body fat composition, stage of reproductive cycle, and breast pathology. Bra size, when fitted according to defined industry standards, may be used as an estimate of breast size. Across the life span and across the population, bra size is not a consistent measure of breast mass which is most accurately estimated from radiographic measures of volumetric density, but among healthy women who have never been pregnant or experienced breast pathology, bra size is likely to be a consistent measure.
Follow these easy steps to ensure you are shopping for your correct bra size:
Measurement number 1: Measure under your bust line.
Put on your best-fitting, unpadded, under wire bra. Measure underneath the bust line and make sure to measure tightly. Be sure the tape measure is straight across your back.
The general rule of thumb for all measuring is: less than ½”, round DOWN, more than a ½”, round UP. So if your measurement is 32 ¼”, call it 32. Write this number down.
Band Size: Calculate your band size.
If measurement 1 is UNDER 33 inches, add 5 inches. If this number is odd, round up to the next EVEN number. If measurement 1 is OVER 33 inches, add 3 inches. If this number is odd, round up to the next EVEN number. Write this EVEN number down. This is your band size.
Measure over the bust line
Measure over the biggest point of your bust line. This is a looser measurement. Make sure the tape measure is straight. Write this number down.
Cup Size: Calculate your cup size.
First subtract measurement number 1 from measurement number 2. Then consult the following chart to find your cup size.
ravingmad
Those measurements DON'T work for really petite women like me!
Measurement 1 was 31, add 5 = 36
Measurement 2 was 34
36-34 = -2
So what the hell cup size am I supposed to be!!
If I got a 36 AA it would glide over my breasts without even touching!
I'll stick with 34AA thanks - it fits perfectly.