Neck and back pain - how can I prove it is from my 38GG breasts?

Question

I have had neck and back pain since 2018. Done physical therapy and chiropractor. The problem remains.How can I prove it's from my 38GG breast's?

Wayne I. Yamahata, MD · Answer

Many if not most women who have 38GG breasts will develop back and neck pain. Breasts of this size will definitely contribute to and may be the entire reason for these symptoms. Having large breasts does not preclude the possibility of other underlying conditions contributing to your pain, e.g. muscle or spine conditions.

James D. Frost, MD · Answer

While there is no real way to PROVE that your pain is from the weight of your breasts, I have two tests. Does your neck and back pain feel better if you lift your breasts with your arms? Or, do you feel relief by resting the GG's on a table or desk. If your answer to these questions is "yes" then your pain is at least aggravated by the weight or your breasts. If you have underlying arthritis, breast reduction will not fix the arthritis but it may alleviate the pain by reducing the stress on your joints.
If you are trying to prove it to an insurance company, that is another matter. Each insurance company has their own criteria. Some make sense medically. Some don't make sense to me if they are trying to help patients feel better.
Please see a board certified plastic surgeon. He or she can help you determine if you would benefit from a breast reduction.

Christopher Pannucci, MD, MS · Answer

Hi bravesirrrobin, 
Meeting with a plastic surgeon would help, so that he or she could provide their opinion about whether your large breasts contribute to your symptoms.
Many women with large breasts have chronic back/neck/shoulder pain, bra strap grooving, trouble finding clothes that fit, and rashes in the fold under the breast. With those symptoms and a GG bra size, I would probably offer you a reduction, pending an exam and discussion. However, insurance often makes you jump through additional hoops, including PT, chiropractor, and multiple PCP visits. A plastic surgeon estimating the potential weight to be removed is often the final step. 
Hope this helps.
Best,Christopher Pannucci MD MSBoard Certified Plastic SurgeonPlastic Surgery NorthwestSpokane, Washington

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear bravesirrobin,
it would be hard to prove that your neck and back pain are caused by breasts. In order to get the surgery covered by insurance, you will ne*ed to have a long-lasting history of complaints. 
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

A great place to begin is a visit to a board certified plastic surgeon near you for a consultation.  During this important meeting you can learn about the breast reduction procedure as well as have your concerns documented.  There is no guarantee that reducing your breasts will improve your pain, but it frequently does for our patients.  You can also contact your insurance carrier to inquire about criteria needed for coverage.

Joseph Batac, MD · Answer

Good day and thank you for your question. From your question, it does sound as though you would be a candidate for breast reduction surgery. One other issue to think about is whether or not you have issues with rashes underneath your breasts which require powders or ointments to relieve them. I would recommend seeing a dermatologist for documentation.

Scott C. Lindsay, DO · Answer

Thanks for your question! Your best option is a breast reduction. You can start by getting a referral from your primary care physician or call the customer service number on the back of your insurance card. They can give you more information on your coverage. Good luck!

M. Shuja Shafqat, MD · Answer

Neck and back pain are very common symptoms from macromastia or large breasts. You should see a board certified plastic surgeon to see if you are a candidate for a breast reduction. Many insurances require documentation from other doctors or providers to support that your neck and back pain is related to your large breasts. I personally think its helpful to have documentation from someone who specializes in musculoskeletal disorders (physical therapist, chiropractor, spine surgeon, rheumatologist, pain management, etc.).
Hope this helps!

Karthik Ram, MRCS, DNB · Answer

Hello there,
Have yourself examined by a plastic surgeon and you can get an appropriate clinical opinion if breasts are the reason, meanwhile uou can rule out other causes of neck pain. Imaging of spine might help to know other causes. 
If no other causes, having 38GG size and neck pain itself is self explanatory . Other than that there is no substantial way to say pain is due to large breasts. 
If you have neck pain, have redness in the bra straps areas and difficult to maintain hygiene under breasts means you are a candidate for breast reduction. 
Consult your board certified plastic surgeon for expert opinion. Hope this helps. Thanks for your query here

Douglas Taranow, DO, FACOS · Answer

You can never prove that large breasts are the cause for neck and upper back pain.  The fact that PT and chiropractic manipulations have not measurably improved the pain leads one to believe that the large breasts are the cause.

Neck and back pain - how can I prove it is from my 38GG breasts?

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