Let's hear it for the Girls! Cut out Bra Underwires.

 Neck Pain. Back Pain. Headaches. 

Pain in the arm pits, back of arms, front of ribs, and the side of the rib cage.

You too?  I am not surprised.

Concerning thoughts of illness crossed my mind.  To add insult to injury I was beginning to look like a football player with tight trapezius muscles.  This was the most upsetting symptom of all. I wanted my long neck back but instead walked around hunched up as if saying "I don't know" all of the time.  Apprehensive body language is never good.

Posture is everything to the vintage Mom. 

"Stand up straight."

"Hold your head high."

"Suck your gut in."

"You'll pop your gut out standing like that."

Yes, we have heard AND said them all.

I worked on my posture but nothing was helping.  Now listen to what I am about to share with you because this will help you or someone you know soon enough.  In the end, here lied the culprits:

These are the wonderful under wires inside of bras that lift, round, and separate our breasts.  Quite simply they were stabbing me everywhere.  To avoid discomfort, I was holding my shoulders up a little higher and my arms out just a bit.  The trapezius muscles were being overworked.  See this?

Yes, that was the exact source of the pain.  Oh, you too?  Again, I am not surprised.

I did what any other Mom raised in my era would do...I went to get properly fitted for a new bra.  It didn't work.  The problem is that the wires are just too long. 

It was time to experiment.   I took a few of my least favorite, inexpensive bras and went to town. With an x-acto knife, I cut the tiniest little slit and slipped the wires out. 

Hallelujah!  What a relief!  Surprisingly, because the bras were fitted properly they did not lose contour when worn. Without all of that extra PERK, I actually look lighter and more evenly proportioned. I will only be saving a few of these wired beasts for extravagant evenings when they will not be worn too long.  Gone are the days of ripping my bra off the moment I get home and praying no one comes to the door.

Now...shoulders up...back...and down.

Head high!

Watch those muscles ease back down over the next few months.

Whew.

Come back soon and I will tell you about the Jaba the Hut Jowl.

I'm linking up with Beverly at: