The Impact of Posture Bras on Breast Health

Bras have sure come a long way. Women used to strap themselves into tight corsets and restrictive garments that nowadays seem downright torturous. The bra as we now know it started to take shape around the end of the 19th century. Now, it’s a multi-billion-dollar industry.

But most bras are far from perfect and most women still struggle to find the best-fitting bra for their body. Hence we have issues like bra strap syndrome and even neck and shoulder pain associated with racerback bras.

In recent years, posture bras have entered the market as a tool to aid in aligning the shoulders and the spine to encourage better posture. Many look and feel like a high-support sports bra. But how effective are they? Beyond helping you sit up straighter, what is the impact of posture bras on breast health?

Let’s dig a little deeper into the effect of posture bras on breasts and the potential health benefits of wearing posture bras.

What Are Posture Bras?

Like bras, posture correctors have also evolved quite a bit. Those ugly, bulky, uncomfortable back braces of yore have been replaced with sleeker apparel like the Etalon Posture Bra 2.0 and even “smart” devices that can sense when you’re slouching. 

The goal of a posture corrector bra is simple: to help you find your optimal alignment. Most posture bras work by pulling your shoulders back to open your chest, stabilize your spine, and prevent you from slouching.

By gently training your muscles to maintain good posture, posture bras can help relieve neck and back pain caused by poor posture, reduce stress on your joints and bones, and increase mobility, among many other health benefits. They also help improve your body awareness so that you can remember what good posture feels like.

*Note: Before using a posture bra or posture corrector, we recommend seeking a medical professional’s advice, especially if you have scoliosis or serious back issues.

The Effect of Posture Bras on Breasts

There are a lot of myths about bras in general. Like: Do they increase the risk of breast cancer? (The evidence says no.) Do they prevent breast sagging? (There’s not much evidence to support this either, though it’s likely true for people with larger breasts.) Can they cause back pain? (If it’s a bad fit, there’s a good chance.)

With their extra level of support, posture bras can help evenly distribute the weight of the breasts and prevent back pain. This is especially beneficial for women with larger or heavier breasts.

One of the worst things for breast health is wearing an ill-fitting bra, which can cause discomfort and pain in the neck, shoulders, or back.

Breast Health Benefits of Posture Bras

A comfortable, well-supported posture bra can be beneficial if worn on a regular basis. It can:

• Encourage good posture and proper alignment of the spine 
• Support the connective tissues of the breasts
• Reduce breast sagging
• Reduce unnecessary strain
• Reduce pain and risk of injury
• Build muscle memory around the shoulders, chest, and back

When it comes to the impact of posture bras on breast tissue, one multi-study analysis from 2021 found that wearing a posture bra reduced breast motion by 17% compared to the everyday bra. Over time, this helped improve the positioning of the shoulder blades without impacting the spine’s natural curvature, reducing the risk of pain linked to poor posture (1).

Another study from 2022 found that supportive garments like posture bras can improve breast support and spinal posture while reducing musculoskeletal pain in women with large breasts (2).

Improving breast health with posture bras goes both ways: While the posture bra can support the breasts and reduce pain, its positive impact on your posture can also enhance the appearance of your breasts. Good posture not only helps you look leaner and taller, it can make your breasts look “perkier.”

The Role of Posture Bras in Preventing Breast Health Issues

There is very little research on the impact of posture bras (and bras in general) on major health issues like breast cancer. The rumor that bras can cause breast cancer by blocking lymph fluid drainage is unfounded. There is no link between wearing a bra, posture or not, and breast cancer.

Choosing the Right Posture Bra

The number one rule when choosing a posture bra: make sure it fits! The correct posture bra size is crucial for maximum comfort and effectiveness when it comes to posture correction and breast support. A customizable corrector is best — like the Etalon Posture Bra 2.0, which offers cup sizes from A-H and allows you to adjust the straps to fit your body and increase or decrease the support. The goal is to feel good and be able to move freely in your posture bra.

The right posture bra should address your weak areas. Tend to slouch when you’re sitting? Make sure your posture bra helps you keep your shoulders back and open up your chest.

A posture bra should also be made with soft, breathable fabrics that won’t irritate your skin or leave you with deep bra strap indentations.

Two for One: Good Posture & Enhanced Appearance

A comfortable, well-fitting, stylish posture bra can offer a number of health benefits. It provides extra support for the connective tissues in the breasts (helping to reduce the risk of sagging), helps evenly distribute the weight of the breasts, builds muscle memory, and trains your body to find better posture. 

As your posture improves, so does the shape of your spine, your belly, and your breasts — which will naturally appear perkier. (Not a bad side effect, right?!)

FAQs

1. How exactly do posture bras impact breast health?

A well-fitting posture bra helps support the connective tissues of the breasts, which can reduce breast sagging. It can also relieve neck, shoulder, and back pain, especially for large- and heavy-breasted women. Studies have shown that a posture bra can improve breast support, shoulder blade positioning, and spinal posture better than the everyday bra.

2. Can wearing a posture bra reduce the risk of developing breast cancer?

The research is still rather scarce in this area. As of now, there is no link between wearing a posture bra and breast cancer. 

3. What are the visible changes in breast shape after using posture bras for an extended period?

Wearing a posture bra helps support the breasts’ connective tissue, which can lower the risk of sagging, especially if you have large or heavy breasts. If you consistently use a posture bra, its positive effects on your posture can also enhance the appearance of your breasts. Sitting or standing with good posture will make your breasts look naturally perkier.

4. How do I choose the right size of posture bra for effective posture correction?

For effective posture correction and comfort, the right posture bra size is crucial. Sizes will vary by brand so be sure to follow a company’s sizing guide. Opt for a posture bra that can be customized. The Etalon Posture Bra 2.0, for example, offers cup sizes from A-H and includes adjustable straps so that you can fit the bra to your body and with the support that you need. 

5. Are there any potential side effects or discomforts associated with wearing posture bras daily?

You may only feel side effects or discomforts from wearing a posture bra daily if it’s ill-fitting. Make sure your posture bra does not restrict your movement or cause any chafing or skin irritation. The claim that a posture corrector will weaken your muscles has not been substantiated. Instead, an effective posture bra should help build your muscle memory so that you can find good posture more naturally over time. In general, we’ve found that wearing a posture corrector daily and incorporating posture-promoting stretches and exercises will result in better posture within roughly three months (results will vary by person, of course).

SOURCES:

1. Gait & Posture. (2021). A novel multi-study intervention investigating the short and long term effects of a posture bra on whole body and breast kinematics. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0966636220306111?via%3Dihub
2. 2. Applied ergonomics. (2022). The impact of breast support garments on fit, support and posture of larger breasted women. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35151120/