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Nov. 29--It may seem strange that I'm writing about bras in this column.
What, you say, do bras have to do with health?
Women who tug, itch or pull their bra may experience more than discomfort. It could be the onset of back pain.
About 60 percent of American women who wear a bra say it causes back, shoulder or neck pain, according to a national survey conducted by Harris Interactive, which was commissioned by the North American Spine Society and Maidenform Inc.
While the vast majority of women who wear a bra strongly or somewhat agree that comfort is their most important consideration when choosing a bra (87 percent), about 60 percent agree that their bra never seems to fit them quite right and about 41 percent agree their bra does not provide the support they need.
The survey showed that women who experience back, shoulder or neck pain attributed to their bra are most likely to cite the straps (62 percent) as the main culprit. Forty-four percent cite the band around the rib cage and 25 percent attribute the underwire as the part that makes them the most uncomfortable.
As a result, more than half of women whose bras cause them pain have tried to solve the issue by purchasing a new one, and about 40 percent have loosened the straps. Only 12 percent of wearers have sought professional advice on how to find a better fit.
"Wearing an ill-fitting bra can cause women to hunch over and practice poor posture," said Dr. Marjorie Eskay-Auerbach, a physician and board member of the North American Spine Society.
Eskay-Auerbach said in a spine society press release that women need to wear bras that give them support and a fit that provides comfort for backs, shoulders and necks.
The society and Maidenform developed the following tips for women to follow to help alleviate back pain and ensure optimal support and maximum comfort:
--Determine your true bra size. Women can measure themselves using guidelines at www.maidenform.com or with a professional fitting in their local department store.
--Try on different bras. Find one that provides the level of support needed. Many women think the shoulder straps should hold the breasts, however, breast tissue should be properly supported from the underwire or undercut panel. Straps anchor the bra in place.
--Update your bra wardrobe annually. With typical washing and wearing, bras lose their ability to support over time. Because bust size changes frequently due to factors such as weight loss or gain, pregnancy and age, women should get fitted at least every two years.
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Copyright (c) 2006, La Crosse Tribune, Wis.
Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Business News.
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