The Wardrobe Of Pain: How Your Clothes Could Be Damaging Your Health

Did you ever think that your wardrobe could be so dangerous?

It could be your bra, your hat or your belt that is the cause of your niggling back or neck pain, it emerged yesterday.

Research revealed around one in two adults suffer aches, pains or injuries from handbags, bras, belts, hats or other items of clothing.

Other ‘dangerous’ attire include hairbands, sunglasses, thongs and even wallets! When placed in front pockets, your purse or wallet can cause numbness in the thigh and groin.

This is really a case of learning something new everyday…

The true extent to which modern fashions are leaving millions of us black and blue emerged from a study published by the British Osteopathic Association.

Kelston Chorley, Head of Professional Development at the BOA, told the Daily Mail: “Patients are often surprised when it is pointed out to them that their bag, shoes or other items of clothing may be to blame.

“People always want to look up to date and wear the current fashion even if it is not best suited physically to them. They are prepared to ‘suffer and endure to look right.

“Poor fitting bras are a common source of mid back pain, or pain and stiffness in the neck and shoulders, often accompanied by headaches.

“Women with larger beasts need to ensure that they are well supported with well-adjusted shoulder straps that off load and spread the weight from the back fastener.

“Spending long periods in the car seat with a wallet in the rear pocket will force you to sit off set to the pedals, increasing the chance of a low back condition.

“Having a wallet in your front trouser pocket when driving can give rise to reduced groin circulation and can lead to testicular pain and groin problems.”

Research carried out by the BOA found that half of the UK population have experienced some kind of pain from a particular item of clothing.

Many have suffered discomfort in their neck, back or shoulders from regularly carrying a heavy bag, with four in ten women blaming a heavy handbag.

It also emerged around six in ten women have been affected by wearing a bra that didn’t fit well.

One in five have experienced friction injuries from wearing thongs.

Ouch.

Furthermore, one in eight adults said they’ve experienced headaches from a hat they didn’t realise was too tight.

And one fifth have endured pain from sunglasses causing pressure around their head.

For us girls, the BOA also warned that ballet pumps are almost as dangerous as high heels, while flip-flops can result in claw toe or toe pain.