Upper torso pain and musculoskeletal structure and function in women with and without large breasts: A cross sectional study

McGhee, Deirdre E.; Coltman, Karly A.; Riddiford‐Harland, Diane L.; Steele, Julie R.

doi:10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2017.12.009

Cited by 26 publications

(41 citation statements)

References 33 publications

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“…Outside the reduction mammoplasty literature, there is growing evidence of the potential impact of larger breast sizes on aspects of physical health including perceptions of pain and physical activity. Pain felt in the thoracic spine 26,27 and upper back and torso 28,29 has been observed more commonly in women with large breasts across a range of ages who are not seeking reduction mammoplasty. Total time spent in physical activity and participation in vigorous physical activity have also been noted to be significantly lower among women (aged 18-75 years) with hypertrophic breasts compared to women with small breasts.…”

Section: But Also Because With Advancingmentioning

confidence: 99%

The relationship between breast size and aspects of health and psychological wellbeing in mature-aged women

Spencer

Fary

McKenna

et al. 2020

Womens Health (Lond Engl)

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Objectives: Increases in breast size with age are common but have not been widely examined as a factor that could affect the health and psychological wellbeing of mature-aged women. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between breast size and aspects of health and psychological wellbeing in mature-aged women. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of mature-aged women (⩾40 years). Breast size (breast size score) was determined from self-reported bra size and was examined against health-related quality of life (Medical Outcomes Study Short-Form 36 and BREAST-Q), body satisfaction (numerical rating scale), breast satisfaction (BREAST-Q), physical activity levels (Human Activity Profile), the presence of upper back pain and breast and bra fit perceptions. Results: Two hundred sixty-nine women (40–85 years) with bra band sizes ranging from 8 to 26 and bra cup sizes from A to HH participated. The mean (standard deviation) breast size score of 7.7 (2.7) was equivalent to a bra size of 14DD. Increasing breast size was associated with significantly lower breast-related physical wellbeing ( p < 0.001, R2 = 0.043) and lower ratings of body ( p = 0.002, R2 = 0.024) and breast satisfaction ( p < 0.001, R2 = 0.065). Women with larger breasts were more likely to be embarrassed by their breasts (odds ratio: 1.49, 95% confidence interval: 1.31 to 1.70); more likely to desire a change in their breasts (odds ratio: 1.55, 95% confidence interval: 1.37 to 1.75) and less likely to be satisfied with their bra fit (odds ratio: 0.84, 95% confidence interval: 0.76 to 0.92). Breast size in addition to age contributed to explaining upper back pain. For each one-size increase in breast size score, women were 13% more likely to report the presence of upper back pain. Conclusion: Larger breast sizes have a small but significant negative relationship with breast-related physical wellbeing, body and breast satisfaction. Larger breasts are associated with a greater likelihood of upper back pain. Clinicians considering ways to improve the health and psychological wellbeing of mature-aged women should be aware of these relationships.

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Section: But Also Because With Advancingmentioning

confidence: 99%

The relationship between breast size and aspects of health and psychological wellbeing in mature-aged women

Spencer

Fary

McKenna

et al. 2020

Womens Health (Lond Engl)

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“…A change in body posture combined with non-ergonomic work affects the emergence of pain, as evidenced by Nowotny et al [14]. The results of these studies also seem to be confirmed in three studies proving that the size of the breasts is associated with pain of the musculoskeletal system [9][10][11]. Chao et al studied the usefulness of removing breast tissue in symptomatic patients (regardless of amount of tissue removed) to improve their physical disabilities related to breast hypertrophy, and in turn, improve their quality of life.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 75%

“…In the reviewed studies, three studies [9][10][11] proved that the size of the breasts is associated with pain of the musculoskeletal system. The above results were explained by Schinkel-Ivy et al according to whom the torso muscles showed positive, moderately strong correlations with the size of the breast while standing and some movements of the trunk [3].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Some authors see the causes of discomfort in the torso muscles disbalance and significant forces acting on the erector spinae muscle by large breasts, which may lead to hyperkyphosis and pain [8]. The interaction of increased flexion torque on the thoracic spine and weaker muscles in the posterior part of the thoracic spine may lead to postural changes and increased tissue loading in the thoracic region of the vertebral column, and secondary to the occurrence of musculoskeletal pain among women with large breasts [9]. An important issue is also that the prevalence of this unique women's health problem is likely to escalate because the average size of the bra cup has increased over the last two decades from a small one bra cup size to a large bra cup size [9]…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Bust size and pain of the musculoskeletal system – a literature review

Zieliński¹,

Filipiak²,

Suwała³

et al. 2019

Med Og Nauk Zdr.

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Objectives. It is generally accepted that large breast sizes among women contribute to the development of back pain and poor posture. The aim of our research was to determine if the hypothesis that the size of the breasts has an impact on the pain of the musculoskeletal system in women, can be confirmed or denied on the basis of available literature. Material and methods. A systematic review based on the contents of the PubMed database, ResearchGate, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar databases was performed. In order to identify relevant publications, a search using a combination of key words "breast size", "spine pain" and "musculoskeletal pain"(according to Medical Subject Headings-MeSH) was performed. Four studies have been included in our review. Results. The correlation between breast size and pain is confirmed by three studies. One study stands in opposition to the others. Considering the value of evidence and results in peer-reviewed publications, we conclude that there is considerable evidence to support the hypothesis that the size of the breasts affects the painfulness of the musculoskeletal system. Conclusions. Due to the small amount of available literature, we find that studies on the impact of bust size on pain of the musculoskeletal system should be continued on a larger scale. Based on the above review, we conclude that there is considerable evidence to support the hypothesis that the size of the breasts affects the painfulness of the musculoskeletal system.

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“…Whilst UBP could share a number of risk factors reported to be relevant to low back and neck pain, such as poor muscle function and non-neutral postures [12, 13], it is also likely that the condition has unique risk factors that relate more specifically to the anatomy and function of the upper torso and thoracic spine. A unique risk factor in women could be breast size, as this conceivably affects upper torso mechanics [14] and has been associated with UBP in postmenopausal women [15]. Breast size [16] and breast characteristics [17] commonly change following menopause, and whilst these characteristics have been reported to explain some of the variance in UBP in women aged 18–82 years (mean (SD) age 41 (19) years) [18], their importance and contribution to UBP alongside other potentially relevant physical characteristics, has not been previously explored.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Upper back pain in postmenopausal women and associated physical characteristics

et al. 2019

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The physical characteristics of postmenopausal women that are associated with upper back pain are not well-understood. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to identify the physical characteristics associated with presence and severity of upper back pain in healthy postmenopausal women. Self-reported upper back pain presence (within the previous month) and severity (numerical rating scale) were examined against the physical characteristics: height; weight; body mass index; breast size; breast ptosis; upper back extensor muscle endurance (isometric chest raise test); head, shoulder and upper back posture (photogrammetry); thoracic extension mobility (photogrammetry); bone mineral density (dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA)); body composition (DXA); and thoracic kyphosis, thoracic osteoarthritis and thoracic vertebral fracture (all radiography). A multivariable logistic regression model, adjusted for age, was built using physical characteristics with a significant univariate association with upper back pain. Censored Tobit regression, adjusted for age, was used to examine each physical characteristic against upper back pain severity. Postmenopausal women (n = 119) with a mean (SD) age of 61.4 (7.0) years participated in the study. After adjusting for age, the physical characteristics independently associated with upper back pain were: height (OR: 0.50, 95% CI: 0.31–0.79); and upper back extensor muscle endurance (OR: 0.46, 95%CI: 0.28–0.75). This model explained 31% of the variance in upper back pain ( p <0.001). After adjusting for age, being taller and having better upper back extensor muscle endurance were associated with lower odds for upper back pain. After adjusting for age, differences in upper back pain severity were explained by upper back extensor muscle endurance ( p = <0.001) and lean mass ( p = 0.01). Conclusion: As a modifiable physical characteristic of postmenopausal women with upper back pain, upper back extensor muscle endurance is worth considering clinically.

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Upper torso pain and musculoskeletal structure and function in women with and without large breasts: A cross sectional study

Cited by 26 publications

References 33 publications

The relationship between breast size and aspects of health and psychological wellbeing in mature-aged women

The relationship between breast size and aspects of health and psychological wellbeing in mature-aged women

Bust size and pain of the musculoskeletal system – a literature review

Upper back pain in postmenopausal women and associated physical characteristics

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