Rib pain from bra: Find & fix causes
A bra that doesn’t fit properly not only looks unsightly but can also lead to pain. While bras that are too big don’t provide enough support and can cause tension, a bra that is too tight can cause rib pain. We’ll show you other possible causes and explain what to look for when buying a bra to avoid rib pain and other discomfort from the wrong bra.
8 November 2023 • 4 min reading time
Secure tips on how to relieve rib pain through the bra.
Anyone who ever noticed red welts and stabbing or pressing pain in the ribcage area should question the fit of their bra. Because weight gain or pregnancies often increase the underbust circumference, and old bras become too tight. In this case, you should re-size your bra to avoid rib pain.
If nothing has changed in your clothing and bra size, it’s also possible that a certain bra shape or certain brands are not suitable for you. If you just recently purchased a new bra, check if it’s an unfamiliar bra cut or a new manufacturer that you don’t have bras from in your closet. In both cases, you should test out alternatives.
So instead of an underwired balconette bra, try a triangle bra or an underwired bra. For a new bra brand, you can choose the cross size to your current bra size instead. If you have rib pain, the cross size with smaller cups and a longer underbust band is often the right choice. So, with a cup size of 75C you could try 80B, while the correct cross size to 80D would be 85C.
Those who wear bras that are too tight in the long run must not only expect rib pain, which occurs primarily in certain sitting positions. Because to avoid the pain, we tend to adopt a protective posture. It makes our muscles tend up, which can cause chronic tension in the neck, shoulders, or back.
To avoid the long-term effects of bras that are too tight, your bra should fit perfectly in every position and not cut or pinch anywhere. In addition to rib pain, which is usually caused by an underbust band that is too short, it’s also important to make sure that the cups fit properly. Especially with underwire bras, the wire frame should not press against the chest, ribs, or rib cage.
If the underwire bra presses on the ribs and causes pain, it’s high time to get to the root of this problem. The first step is to calculate the right bra size. The underbust band in particular should be the right size if you often suffer from rib pain. It’s better to round your underbust up rather than down. If it’s 82 cm, choose a bra size with the number 85.
You can also tell if the underbust band is long enough and fits properly by looking at the band between the cups. It should lie against the skin without pressing in. If the band sticks out or presses on the breastbone, this may indicate an incorrect cup size. In this case, underwire bras could also cause pressure on the ribs or chest. If you are unsure where the underwire of a bra should sit, you can also go for underwire bras. A wider underbust band and padded cups provide a beautifully shaped bust and ideal support.
You know your bra size, have already tried on your cross sizes, and even wearing bras without underwire doesn’t make your rib pain go away? To rule out pleurisy, fractures, and other pathological causes, it’s better to seek medical advice with your complaints. Using ultrasound, in most cases, the doctor can quickly determine where your rib pain is coming from and what treatment is right.
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