Sometimes we get so caught up in how we look that we aren't aware that our clothes may be causing us pain. You always hear about whether a pair of shoes is comfortable or not, but what everything else you got on? Is your wardrobe an anatomic bomb? Here are some of the culprits.
Wrong Size Pants
Many folks are proud to say they are wearing the same size pants they were wearing when they got married. What they haven’t always payed attention to is how those pants been slowly creeping lower or higher to avoid their expanding midsection. Poorly fitting pants can restrict movement on your lumbar spine and sacroiliac joints. Next time you go shopping, get measured for a proper fit.
Restrictive Tops
Jackets and tops which have a narrow profile can be flattering, but be sure they are not restricting the movement of your shoulders and upper back. Extend your arms and cross them in front of you when trying them on. Does the item feel ‘binding?’ If it does, put it back on the rack.
Poorly Fitted Bra
We did a study in my practice in 2002 that showed that over 50% of women were wearing the wrong size bra, and of those women, 70% had back issues in their thoracic spine in the form of limited range of movement or even pain. Get a quality bra fitting. Most department stores have a fitting expert.
And, always wear clean underwear. It really has nothing to do with back pain, it just seems like a good idea.
By paying attention to some of the things you wear and carry, you can really make an impact on how great you can feel.
Be well!
Andrew Kirschner, D.O., is a board-certified physician with a private practice in Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania, and a consultancy in Miami, Florida. He specializes in treating individuals and couples with musculoskeletal and back pain. To learn more about his practice, please visit BackTogether.org.
From: My newest post on Martha Stewart’s Whole Living Blog- Your clothing and back pain. « BackWords | 6/4/10 at 9:14 am
[...] a follow up to yesterday’s tip of the day on your shoes and how they can affect back pain, my most recent post on the Martha Stewart website is about your clothing and how it affects back [...]