Can Wearing a Tight Bra Cause Chest Pain?

Wearing a tight bra can cause chest pain, but that’s not all it does. There are a number of other health problems, even minor ones, that can occur if you wear a tight bra. The following are some such side effects of wearing a tight bra:

• Spillage of breasts from the sides, bottom or top of the bra can cause discomfort.
• A cage-like restriction around your chest can lead to shortness of breath and impaired blood circulation.
• The bra’s band can ride up your back leading to back pain, neck pain, stiff neck, headaches, etc.
• Bra hooks can leave marks or scratch your skin. This can lead to bleeding, scabs and infections. 
• Wearing a tight bra can affect your posture and spinal cord.
• If you already have spondylosis or any related issue, a tight bra can worsen it.

If you’ve been wearing a tight bra and experiencing chest pain because of it, the first thing you need to do is to get rid of the bra and get fitted for a new one. While this will relieve the chest pain, your constricted breast muscles and tissues might feel tender and painful for a few days. Here’s what you can do to relieve the pain:

• Visit the doctor to get the pain and the breasts checked, in case there’s another underlying issue.
• Apply a hot water bag, warm towel or ice pack on the breasts depending on which works as the best pain reliever for you.
• Apply an over-the-counter pain relieving lotion or gel.
• Wear loose clothing or go braless for a day or two to relax your chest area.
• Reduce your salt intake, which can reduce the swelling in your breasts.
• Get some upper body exercise to improve the blood flow.

It has been assumed for a long time that wearing a tight bra can cause breast cancer. This is a myth.

The idea that tight bras cause breast cancer came up because it was assumed that a tight bra restricts the lymph nodes and suppresses the proper function of the lymphatic system, which in turn causes cancerous tumours. However, the American Cancer Society and many other institutions that conduct research on breast cancer and spread breast cancer awareness have made it very clear that there is no substantiated connection between bras and breast cancer.

The best way to avoid any side effects of wearing a tight bra is to get yourself measured and fitted for the right bra that fits perfectly. You need to measure your band size, bust size and subtract the two to get your cup size. 

While most boutiques and lingerie stores nowadays provide this service - and you should access it if you can for best results - you should also know how to measure your breasts by yourself, because this check needs to be done every six months. This is because changes in your body can lead to changes in your breast size. Whether it’s because your hormone levels are out of balance or because you gained or lost weight suddenly, your breasts are likely to change with time, and you need a perfectly fitting bra no matter what your shape or size. It’s also very important to get fitted for the right bra when you’re pregnant or after a mastectomy.