THE HEALTHY BREAST

The breast is composed of adipose tissue, glandular epithelium, ducts, blood vessels, lymph vessels, collagen supporting fibers and the skin. These are all overlays upon the normal musculature of the chest wall. Exercise will tone up and increase the size of the musculature. The breast, however, on the top of these muscles is as soft and pliable as any tissue in the entire body. Poorly fitting bras displace this tissue, pushing it under the arm, directing it over the chest wall.

Most women do not know how to properly take care of their breast. They wear ill-fitting garments that give little or no support and redirect the breast tissue, impeding circulation and lymphatic drainage, which interfere directly with cellular health. For the woman who values her beauty and health, she should regularly perform breast self-examination for the presence of lumps, swelling, heat and soreness. She should also make sure she wears a correctly fitted, properly supporting bra.

In its unprotected position, the breast is subjected to bumping and bruising by the arms. It is also subjected to stretch and movement due to the pull of gravity with every step, if not properly supported. It is subject to hormonal influences associated with pregnancy, lactation and the menstrual cycle. Adding to this scenario, an ill-fitting bra as a constant irritant can create problems.

Breasts are not the same size even on the same woman. They vary in size due to heredity, diet, age and general state of health. Compressing breasts into bras of predetermined size and configuration only guarantees the fit will be poor at best, unless individually fitted on each woman. Hence the importance of custom-fitted bras.

SMALL FIGURE

Small-breasted women sometimes wear a padded bra and it redirects her breast tissue. It impedes circulation and lymphatic drainage, which carry away normal metabolic wastes. Glandular tissue may become fragmented or cut off from the main glandular mass, causing mastitis and other problems associated with pregnancy and lactation. When her breast tissue is properly positioned inside a properly fitted cup, the small busted woman will usually have a better figure.

MEDIUM FIGURE

The average woman desires to maintain her bust line. Many times women buy bras that not only do not adequately support and protect their breasts but serve as a source of irritation as well. Impaired lymphatic and venous drainage from external breast tissue contributes to progressively swollen breasts. They accumulated fluid, growing ever heavier through the years. With each moving step the bust is stretched, breaking the supporting collagenous fibers required for internal breast support. Stretch marks may become visible on the skin. Breast tissue is displaced under the arms and down onto the midriff area.

An aggressive preventative program involving nutrition, avoidance of adverse drugs and chemicals, appropriate aerobic exercise and a correctly fitting and properly worn supporting garment, can maintain the figure a woman desires through the years. This largely helps to avoid the benign breast diseases, which are responsible for the majority of women’s visits to their doctors because of breast pain.

FULLER FIGURE

The fuller figured woman has the greatest problem for finding a bra that really fits and supports. The extra weight of her breasts not only compounds the problems previously mentioned, but also makes it nearly impossible, in today’s marketplace, to find a bra that fits correctly. Most bras only provide support by being suspended from a sliding shoulder strap. The pressure makes deep, painful grooves in women’s shoulders. Elastic straps progressively stretch, causing the problems described above. The weight of the breasts can also cause posture problems.

The correctly fitted bra on the other hand provides proper support, relief from sore shoulders. It minimizes the appearance of the fuller figure by facilitating improved drainage of accumulated breast fluid afforded by improved circulation. She looks thinner and is more comfortable.

TEENAGE FIGURE

The teenage girl needs to have a bra that will provide her with support and direction so that she can continue to keep the loveliness of her youthful figure. Her breast tissue needs to be properly positioned and supported, which only the proper bra can provide.

SPORTS MINDED

When a woman is active in sports, the breast tissue will be subjected to a great deal of movement. The proper bra will counteract the effects motion play upon the stretching of delicate bust tissue.

MOTHER-TO-BE FIGURE

The pregnant woman is experiencing many changes in her body. The proper fitting bra can help provide gentle and firm support to aid the increase in the breast’s fullness.

MASTECTOMY

A woman who has undergone a mastectomy has special needs. A correctly fitted bra can assure that the prosthesis can be worn with comfort and security and that the woman has renewed confidence and self-esteem.

FEATURES OF AN EXCELLENT SUPPORTIVE BRA

The supportive triangle and the cup must encompass all the breast tissue.
Support must be from beneath the breast, rather than supported by the shoulder straps.
There must be no pressure to redirect the breast and restrict circulation.
The support should be firm enough to take out most of the motion of the breast during walking and other motion.
The bra should be constructed of soft fabric, custom-fitted to each woman’s size and configuration. There should be no wires or stays to gouge or bruise delicate tissue.
The breast position should be supported so the point of the breast is halfway between shoulder and elbow.
The best supportive bras have an inner support triangle that positions and supports the breast.

Every woman from puberty throughout life should wear custom-fitted bras, not only to look and feel her best, but to enjoy better support through this vital step in proper breast care.