Can A Breast Reduction Provide Relief for Back Pain?

If your poor posture and back pain are caused by large breasts, a breast reduction from our Vancouver area practice is a safe and effective method to get relief for the discomfort. In fact, many believe that a breast reduction is the only permanent way of relieving certain types of back pain. Many patients combine a breast lift, which involves elevating the breasts to a higher position on the chest to make them perkier, with a breast reduction, to maximize results.

Although upper back pain can also be a result of other factors such as heavy exercise, bad posture, or injuries, large breasts are one of the most frequent causes of pain in the back, shoulders, and neck. This discomfort occurs due to changes in the center of gravity and an abnormal body alignment when large breasts pull the upper body forward, leading to constant tension in the muscles of the upper back and a strain on the ligaments. The excess weight of the breasts is the main cause of the problem, as there may not be enough support from the surrounding muscles, the rib cage, and the rest of the body.

For example, D-Cup breasts would be between sixteen to twenty-four extra pounds that are being carried on the chest. Additionally, large breasts can make it challenging to maintain good posture because it isn’t easy to hold them up, making you more likely to hunch over. Many women may also be self-conscious about large breasts and slouch forward, making the pain worse. This long-term, chronic pain may not only make daily tasks difficult but also have a negative impact on quality of life.

Breast reduction has one of the highest satisfaction rates out of all plastic surgery procedures for good reason. In breast reduction surgery, excess fat, tissue, and skin are removed to make the breasts smaller, then they are reshaped to be more proportional with the patient’s weight and frame. Research has shown that the reduction in back pain is linked to lifting the breasts in addition to removing the extra weight.

For more details about the benefits of a breast reduction, contact our Vancouver area office of Dr. Owen Reid. Call us at 604-343-9309 or submit a contact form to request a consultation to discuss breast reduction surgery and determine what’s the most appropriate surgical option for you.