Look Good Or Feel Good

Look good or feel good, that is the dilemma that many women face. Just this week, I saw two women in pain because of their wardrobe choices. Choosing to wear a bra or high heels may give an impression of looking good, but both of these items of clothing can lead to pain. Why does society pressure women into unhealthy choices in the name of fashion? Many women succumb to the pressure and choose looking good over feeling good. Some may rationalize the decision by saying to themselves, “I am a woman in pain, but DAMN don’t I look good.” Here are two examples of what not to wear.

E.N. is an 87 year old woman who now has neck pain. Looking at her, the typical upper back hump is prominent. Hidden underneath her clothing and her bra straps are shoulder grooves that could be considered the “Grand Canyon’s” of shoulder grooves. Over the years, her heavy breasts have caused the bra straps to dig permanent indentations into her shoulders. Knowing the damage that is done to not only the shoulders, but also the alignment of the neck; I tell her that she should consider going without a bra. If she wants her neck to feel better, weight needs to be eliminated from her shoulders. She scoffed that the thought of not wearing a bra. Her reason was that her breasts would sag and look bad. Amazingly, some women like E.N. will take those painful bras to the grave if it makes them look good. Even if this was a question of modesty, a camisole is a much better alternative. My only hope to help her neck is to find a suitable substitute for her poor wardrobe choice because she is not willing to stop wearing bras. She will not choose feeling good over looking good.

Another woman, aged 47 years old, came in with a new pain—back pain. Before I examined her, I immediately spotted the problem, the high-heeled shoes. Here is a woman on her feet all day, meeting with clients. She hauls luggage in and out of airports during her various business trips. And yes, she does all of that in high heels. Even though she knows the shoes are bad for her back, she feels that she must wear them to conceal her “big and fat” feet. She would prefer to look good, rather than feel good. So, her back will continue to be in pain because those high heels constantly place her back out of alignment.  In order to treat her pain, I must find a suitable substitute for her poor wardrobe choice. After telling her about Cole Haan G Series shoes and Josef Seibel shoes, I sound like a shoe sale person. Finally, she realizes that I have given her permission to go shopping.

Over the years I have realized that being a wardrobe consultant is a necessity for me because without changing my patient’s wardrobe habits, she will continue to have back, neck, foot, knee, shoulder, or almost any type of pain. Honestly, treating pain can start with the wardrobe for many women. Bras, high heels, purses can all be a major culprit to feeling bad. It is time to understand that you can look good and feel good at the same time. If your wardrobe is causing pain, do not blame society, the media, or your mother. The real blame is with you, the woman who buys the shoes, bras, and purses in the first place. Health begins at the point of purchase. Making the right choices will help you feel good and look good.

High Heels to Hormones: A Woman’s Guide to Spine Care gives you an easy to read guide to making the right choices for your spine—the female spine.

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Back and Neck, Chronic Pain, Women's Health by drlasich