If you're one of the thousands of women suffering from an achy, sore back, you may be inadvertently causing the problem yourself -- by wearing the wrong bra, Local 2 reported Thursday.

"The proper fit can make all the difference, according to experts, and can alleviate back pain.

"An estimated 75 percent of women are wearing the wrong bra, according to industry experts.

"Doctors say knowledge is key and women should not make their purchase on looks alone.

""Women do want something that is very feminine and pretty and makes them feel good about themselves," said Barbara Nelson, with Top Drawer Lingerie.

"But fit should come first. ""If it's wrong, as in too big, it won't support the breasts. If it is too tight, it will actually cause a restriction of the lymphatic system as well as the vascular system," said Dr. Eric Tondera, a chiropractor.

"The wrong fit can cause upper back pain and even headaches. ""It causes stress on the back with the muscles," Tondera said. "There are signs that a bra is not the right size. ""You will see red marks where the bra straps go, which you should not have," Tondera said. "Jana Barrett knows what that's like. ""I didn't know that that could be such a big sign," Barrett said. "The most common mistake is the bra is too small, according to Tondera. "Here are other signs of a bad-fitting bra.
The breast overflows out of the cup.
The bra band rides up on the back
The center of the bra, or the underwire, does not lie flat on the chest.
The material is wrinkled on your breasts. It should stretch firmly for proper support.

By Julie Kostecky
InteliHealth Staff Writer

Bra straps can dig into your skin, leaving unattractive and sometimes painful indentations. The bra band can inch up your back, annoying you and causing discomfort. Many women may be familiar with the annoyances of an ill-fitting bra, but did you also know that there can be health consequences to wearing the wrong size? Here are just a few:

• Pain in the upper back, neck, shoulders and arms, or headaches
• Breast pain during exercise
• Skin abrasions or infections underneath the breast in full-breasted women

A well-fitting brassiere can provide the necessary support to take tension off the breasts and other parts of your body, alleviating or preventing these potential problems.

If you would like to determine the correct bra size for you, just follow these few simple steps. You also may want to be professionally fit -- it's free for our customers in the Houston area.

Also, remember that your breast size often changes over time. So whatever your bra size is now, it probably won't be the same size you'll wear for the rest of your life. Because pregnancy, menopause, and weight gain or loss can change the size and shape of your breasts, you should re-measure your breast size at least every two years.

Jeunique, Pennyrich, and Colesce bras are known for their comfortable support.

While there are many sites on the Internet where these products are available, we pride ourselves in offering these great products from a site with Great Products, Good Prices, Outstanding Service, and No Pop-Ups. We will make every effort to meet and exceed your expectations.

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There are several easily identifiable signs that the bra you're wearing does not fit:

• You can see breast tissue being pushed out over the top of the cups. Unless you are wearing a demi bra, all of your breast tissue should be contained within the cup of the bra. You should try a bra with a larger cup.
  
  
• The bra band rides up in the back. Try a bra with a smaller band if you're having this problem. To gauge whether the band size is correct, you should be able to place two fingers under the bra in the back. If you can fit more than two fingers under the band, the bra is too large.
  
  
• The center of the bra in the front or the underwire in an underwire bra does not lie flat against your breast bone. The center of the bra should lie against your skin, and the cup should contain all of your breast tissue. Try a bra with a larger cup.
  
  
• The cups are wrinkled. Stretchy fabrics mold to the shape of the breast and can sometimes provide a better fit without sacrificing support. Try a bra with a smaller cup size.