Bra Strap Injury?

Helenback · 10-09-2009, 09:57 PM

Well, it's come to this. I'm sitting here on a rainy Friday night asking a bunch of total strangers about my bra strap problem. My children would be mortified--but too bad for them because I've gotten really good advice here so I'm hoping somebody will have an idea about how to proceed.

So, I bought these really expensive bras at Nordstrom a year or two ago(o.k. I hate buying new bras) and I think the strap on the right side slowly damaged a nerve in my shoulder. I bought these bras, and forgive me but I don't know how to say this delicately, to conceal any trace of evidence that I may have nipples. I was working at the middle school, where things like that can be terribly distracting. I was wearing my industrial strength, very sturdy undergarments, and of course I was always pretty happy to take them off at the end of the day because hey, who isn't? Eventually I noticed that my shoulder was getting kind of sore, and as many women do, I completely ignored it until it became acute. I discovered on one delightful braless day at home, that my shoulder didn't hurt if I didn't wear the bra. And then I continued to wear it for awhile because I didn't want to spend the money on bras, and now it hurts all the time. That may have been a mistake.

I started researching this and apparently you can do some nerve damage by wearing a bra where the shoulder straps cut into your shoulders. I bought some wide strap racer back bras, which take the stress completely off that pressure point, so they feel great. But how do I heal the shoulder? Any thoughts? I know--go to the doctor, right? But I think I have to see my regular doctor first, and then he might refer me to an ortho guy, who might send me to a physical therapist. I'm willing to do all that, but I'd rather you all just tell me how to heal it over the weekend so I can skip all those doctor's appointments. Suggestions? Ideas?

Can I just say that I remember very well getting my first bra when I was 12. I hated it. I told my babysitter that I hated it and she said,"Oh, you'll get used to it. You'll forget you're even wearing it." Well she was a big liar. I stand by my original statement. I still hate it. And no, I can't skip it, unless you want to see what those women in National Geographic would look like in a Jjill t-shirt. Not pretty.

Lafalum84 · 10-09-2009, 10:03 PM

Heat? Ice?

I was never a fan of chiropractors but S's back trouble didn't go away after PT and xrays and a new mattress. So he went to a chiropractor who immediately noticed that he kept his wallet in his back pocket, and when he found out that S always kept it there told him he was creating a 1-inch wedge under one side of his hips every time he sat down. After just a couple of treatments (and moving his wallet to his front pocket) S's back began feeling a lot better.

So perhaps you could try a chiropractor?

VeryHappy · 10-09-2009, 10:06 PM

Before you seek professional attention, try ice. Ice it for 20 minutes every two to three hours. Do that for three or four days. See how it feels. If you still have a problem, it's time for an appointment somewhere. And I wouldn't start with a chiropractor.

Granny · 10-09-2009, 10:17 PM

I am 70 and just switched to racer back bras this year. For the first time in my life, I can nap in a bra and, sometimes, I don't know that I have it on. Why not sooner? I don't know.
And we did go through a period where it was almost impossible to hide nipples without bandaids - but I think we are out of that now.

Helenback · 10-09-2009, 11:00 PM

^^^^Why not sooner? I was thinking the exact same thing! I felt like I'd discovered some amazing secret.

I'm going to try the ice suggestion and see if that helps.

I do have a chiropractor that I have been very happy with, but I wasn't sure if he'd be able to help with this since it seems more nerve/muscle related.

swimcatsmom · 10-09-2009, 11:03 PM

Just make sure you don't switch the ice and bandaid suggestions!

poetgrl · 10-09-2009, 11:14 PM

I'm running right out to buy a racerback bra tomorrow. Try yoga. I had the worst upper back for ages, just from that being what I do with all my stress. Then, I started doing yoga and it really fixed it up over time. I can't even believe how stiff I used to be compared to now.

Helenback · 10-09-2009, 11:15 PM

^^^^Yikes!!!

Helenback · 10-09-2009, 11:17 PM

Not yikes to yoga--yikes to ice!

I love yoga, but apparently 45 is the year my body falls apart. I've been fooling with plantar fasciitis--and that would've made yoga too painful. Now that's on the mend, but I could not do a lot of yoga poses with this shoulder pain---no downward dog or plank--so I think I've got to calm this down before I get back in there.

Helenback · 10-09-2009, 11:19 PM

The only issue I had with yoga was that I kept falling dead asleep during final relaxation. Snoring asleep. It was embarassing, so i would play little mind games and move around a bit to keep myself awake during those last ten minutes, and then I decided as great as yoga was, maybe it wasn't what I needed. What I needed was a nap!

poetgrl · 10-09-2009, 11:21 PM

Okay, then first the accupuncture and massage. In reverse order if the accupuncture scares you like it did me, originally. Miracle. Yes. I'm 44 and the body is much less willing to be what it once was.

poetgrl · 10-09-2009, 11:22 PM

you're killing me. rotflol.

littlegreenmom · 10-09-2009, 11:24 PM

I don't care how much you spent, either donate them if they are still useable, toss them, or burn them.

Absolutely, you can damage those nerves. I have heard that most women don't wear the right size bra which can lead to all kinds of problems.

If it hurts when you wear it, but doesn't when you don't, then something is wrong with the size or style. Do yourself a favor and get yourself properly measured in either a good bra shop or at a department store when they have those special fittings. It is worth it to take the time to do this. You don't have to buy the bras they recommend, but you need to have an accurate size so you won't have pain. I would google "professional bra fittings". I think Nordstrom offers this service, as well as many major department stores.

There are also little padded things that go on top of the shoulders to cut down on strap cut in.

I used to have pain when I wore one bra. It was lovely so I kept wearing it. Then I got smart after one of these fittings. Come to the light. Really. It is better for you.

littlegreenmom · 10-09-2009, 11:26 PM

Poetgrl,

I had acupuncture for an ailment this year. It was nice, but I still had to go for traditional treatment. It was very relaxing and didn't hurt. Surprised about it.

Helenback,

I did the same thing during yoga, every single time. It did get a little embarrassing...

Helenback · 10-09-2009, 11:31 PM

I actually am not afraid of accupuncture, but I don't know if I can get it around here. We have plenty of massage therapists though. With all due respect to their education and expertise, massages are really expensive, so I often can't afford one when I know it would help. I remember being in San Francisco once and there was this hippie-ish guy on the street offering neck and shoulder massages for $5. Of course, I guess it's possible he would just strangle me, but if he didn't then it would be quite a bargain.