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BRAS can HURT and cause pain! WHY I STOPPED WEARING RACER-BACK SPORTS BRAS.

By April 8, 202115 Comments
Being both chesty and sporty is possible provided you have the correct support. I had to rethink my own underwear, especially when it came to wearing racer-back sports bras.
They hurt me!
After years of being a dedicated racer-back girl I have been converted back to “normal” straps. The difference: I no longer have shoulder and neck pain.
The pain started in my left shoulder after I did an exceptionally long cycle. My legs and the rest of me were fine but my left shoulder was in rag order. My right shoulder was not much better to be honest. Being a Physical Therapist I treated my pain with rest firstly then gentle work with massage balls. I went to a friend for physical therapy and dry needling. I was in bits.
The agony in my left shoulder would ease for a while and then come back with a bang. In my yoga practice I did everything I could to tease out the muscles and relieve the pain. There was no problem with mobility, it was just a very deep boring pain, a nag that just wouldn’t go away. Pain is exhausting too, it wears you down and makes you cranky, I admit it!  I would have paid someone to come with a knife and just cut out the pain.

I have worn high impact racer-back bras for years. Especially as I am a chesty girl, I’m small in my frame but have it all going on up front! I like good support and sturdiness.   I wear lots of lovely racer-back yoga tops so having two great big bra straps in the wrong place just wasn’t the look I wanted. I always thought people who did that were a bit mad to be honest!

However, my shoulder just kept nagging me. My long cycles were becoming a problem, I was constantly moving and stretching my neck and shoulder. My legs never give out but this left shoulder of mine was on overdrive. I was taping it up, popping pain killers occasionally, using heat, stretching the heck out of it, doing yoga and wearing out my massage balls!

Then the pins and needles started….
You need your hands to work. It’s helpful for holding forks, pens and getting dressed! I knew I was in real trouble now. Pins and needles were now radiating down my arm and my fingers were tingling I actually couldn’t change gears or brake properly on my bike one day.  Nerve compression. This pain was taking its toll however. Then it dawned on me.
My racerback bra was the big problem….
My trapeziums muscles and their nerve supply were being compressed by the straps. These are the spongy muscles at the top of your shoulder,  they go up into your neck and meet your other neck muscles.  If you sit at a desk a lot you probably try and massage these out with your fingers tips. My neck was under pressure from my bra straps being too near where your neck and shoulder meet (upper trapeziums and levator scapulae). Basically my shoulder and neck were being starved of circulation and I was suffering from compression pains. The crisscross  straps were restricting my shoulder blade too even though they were not digging in or super tight.  Hours sitting on my bike,  my desk, teaching classes and working in racer-back bras were literally taking their toll on me. I was in a lot of pain. I needed to get back to basics and ditch vanity.  A good old sturdy, normal strap, sports bra was required.

Photo 1
You can see the crisscross is in the middle of my spine, the straps cross the shoulders vert close to my neck causing a disruption in circulation and nerve supply. The lower straps are also restricting the movement of my shoulder blade even though this bra fits correctly. The weight of my  chest and trying to keep it supported with a racer back was causing my pain.
Photo 2 & 3
“Normal” bra straps are away from my neck, do not cross my spine and my shoulder blade can move freely.

BRA SHOPPING

Whether you are chesty like me or not, it is important to get properly measured for all your bras. It really does depend on the cut and shape of the bra too. Like any clothing item nothing is standard. Ensure that your bra is nonrestrictive around your ribs too. If your passing out and have a lot of spillage your bra is too small. No matter your fitness it is essential to get all your bras right, sport and day time. The cups should sit comfortably on your chest with no gaps or cutting in. Talk to the bra expert in your local department store. They really are super helpful and highly trained.

I hate shopping for anything especially underwear. I had surgery on my chest 25 years ago so buying bras is not that simple for me. It’s even worse now for all of us now we can’t try on anything! All I can suggest is that you buy as many as you can, go home (or to the shop loo with mirror) and try them on. You can bring them all back the next day. Sorry but I can’t see any other way to bra shop right now due to C19. If you have a better idea please feel free to comment.

When you are active you need good support, comfort, durability and breath ability. Plus there is always value for money and machine wash ability. NO, I don’t hand wash anything, life is too short for that!

I shopped around a lot (pre Covid) and found a really great sports bra that fits me perfectly, it has “normal” hook straps. It is built up giving me support especially for running in too. It’s “pretty” enough for a sports bra but most of all it is comfortable and I am pain free.  On non sports days I continue to wear “normal” straps and in the evenings I try to  wear just a soft supportive vest top to give my shoulders even more of a break.  (The bra in the photo is from Dunnes Stores – not an endorsement)

My shoulder and neck aches have subsided and I am no longer tearing the shoulder off myself with massage balls. I am so much more comfortable on my bike and my pins and needles have disappeared.  I still continue to get physical therapy  and a massage every 5/6  weeks just for maintenance as I am so active. My neck also feels great and so much more mobile.

I know I look a bit stupid with my straps outside my racer back top and I run the risk of getting strap marks when the sun shines (which for me is worse than any pain in the neck!) But, it’s so worth it. To be comfortable, pain free and able to sleep without this deep, boring, achy pain in my shoulder is worth more than vanity.

I ended up buying two more of the same bra. If I find something that fits, is comfortable and does the job I just buy more of them leaving me more time to train, cycle and go on holidays!


​Are your neck and shoulders sore? Full of knots and tensions? Give your body some TLC and book and appointment for Physical Therapy

Picture

Sinéad
About the Author:
Sinéad Kennedy is an author, Wellness Coach and Solo Travel Expert.  She is also a Physical TherapistYoga Siromani , Pilates Instructor and founder of Body Blitz Bootcamp and Yoga for Cyclists. Based online and in person, in both Rathfarnham and Dundrum, South County Dublin. She works with people from all walks of life, helping them to have the courage and correct tools to make positive changes in their life.As a Physio she also works with many athletes, especially cyclists, runners and golfers. Recently featured on the Elaine Show, Today Fm, Newstalk as well as the Irish Independent, FIT Magazine and 2FM. You can follow her on YouTube Channel & Instagram.A keen cyclist and proud member of Orwell Wheeler’s she has completed numerous cycling events including Tour delle Dolomiti,  Alto de Letras, Les Cinglés du Mont Ventoux & La Marmotte Sportive. She is an accomplished audax-er having done numerous 200km and 300km routes. Sinéad has also completed three Dublin City Marathons, numerous Adventure Races, Half Marathons and more recently the Art O’Neil Challenge.


15 Comments

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  • Ruth says:

    Hi there! I wore a racer back for a full day during the week. I hardly slept last night with the pain in my left shoulder and like a reader above, got up this morning and googled ‘sports bra, sore traps’. It’s my left side more than my right and it’s affecting my work too. Do I just wait this out or is there any stretching techniques or anything else I can employ to get this pain to subside quicker?

    • Sinead says:

      Hi Ruth – go onto my YouTube Channel- the button is at the top of the page. I have loads of videos on stretches for neck and shoulders and a video with massage balls which is brilliant for releasing shoulder and neck tension . Book in for a good massage too would really help. My clinic is in Dublin not sure where you are. Ditch the sports bras and pain !! Thanks

  • https://www.resume-planet.org/ says:

    If such item promoted good posture among women, then I am sure that a lot of people will be encouraged to buy that stuff. I know that some of us want a stylish one, but I prefer the one that can improver our posture and not just after a certain design. Racers should definitely have this if they have budget to buy for stuff that they need because basically, this is a need for athletic people like them. can I ask where can I have one of this?

  • Nikki says:

    I literally woke up googling why does my neck hurt and traps hurt from this brand new sports bra i got! I just moved the straps and BOOM. Game changer. I too work in PT and am active.
    After searching for many years. I found a awesome sport recalled shefit .com ! Amazing but it came as a racer back. But now that I fix the straps I feel better. Thank you for your post because my brain was not working. Hello from California!

    • Sinead says:

      So glad you got some pain relief!!! Glad to be of help- I have never looked back either. When I go on long cycles (200km) I get medial tape and tape my shoulders back ever so slightly back. It really helps me to hold good posture too. Feel free to pass on my blog to all the ladies. It takes one to know one!!!!!
      Enjoy sunny California and helloooooo from Ireland

  • Kat Dower says:

    Thanks for this!
    I have nerve damage in my neck, shoulder and arm from a car accident. After my accident, I no longer could stand racerback bras or swimsuits. I never realized how incredibly painful they are. Sometimes I was left recovering for days. I can’t understand why they are so popular and how anyone thinks they’re comfortable! Its so hard to find sleep and sports bras that aren’t racerback right now. >_<

  • Vemasi says:

    What bra was it? Looking for good, non-racerback sports bras.

    • Mel says:

      I have the same question. Could you tell what bra worked for you? I keep wasting money on bras that hurt my neck/upper back, so I would love a recommendation!

      • Sinead Kennedy says:

        Hi I got mine in dunnes stores and love it
        However no two bodies are the same. You will have to try on and make sure that you are comfortable. I feel so much better for wearing “normal” straps

  • Mia says:

    Thank you so much for writing this article. I have been getting treatment for years to address all of the symptoms that you described – all the while wearing a racerback sports bra. I only recently suspected that it may have had something to do with it. What a relief!

  • Darlene Ryno says:

    I wish I can find an exercise tank with a shelf bra and regular straps in the back. I am also busty. The too I have been wearing for about 8 years have the racerbak but I pull the straps over my arms and wear them under my armpits. I figured out right away it was those straps as I had a spinal fusion at C-5 to C-6. Sure wish I could find a full length shirt and not the half shurt thing. I am too old for that. Really sucks designers don’t make them.

  • Angela says:

    Wow. I am so glad I found this blog. I literally have had knots in my trapezius area for YEARS. I had no idea why but this could be it. I’ve worn the racer back sports bras for many years. Did you have the knots in that area? And what do you suggest to get rid of those?

    • Sinead_Kennedy says:

      HI re knots in you traps i would highly recommend you go and get a few massages to tease out the knots and buy a massage ball.

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