Bra Shopping with Arthritis: Styles, Modifications, and Tips for Comfort

Finding a well-fitted bra can be especially difficult for women with arthritis due to several factors related to joint pain, tenderness, and stiffness.

Compression Bra with Front Closure | See Amazon

Arthritis often affects the hands, shoulders, and spine, making it difficult to lift arms or fasten clasps. Small, intricate motions like hooking a bra behind the back can be painful.

Issues with bras dealing with arthritis

1. Limited Hand Mobility:
   Arthritis can cause joint pain and stiffness, especially in the fingers, wrists, and shoulders. Traditional bra clasps (usually small hooks) can be tough to fasten, especially if they’re in the back.
2. Range of Motion Issues:
   Reaching behind to clasp or adjust straps can be painful or impossible for women with arthritis, particularly in the shoulders or spine.
3. Pressure Points & Pain Sensitivity:
   Tight bands or underwires can press on tender, swollen joints, causing discomfort. Even seams or rough fabric can irritate sensitive skin.
4. Lack of Adaptive Designs in the Market:
   While adaptive clothing is growing, bras that cater to arthritis — with front closures, magnetic fasteners, or wide, easy-to-adjust straps — aren’t as widely available or aesthetically diverse.
5. Fitting Challenges:
   Swelling or fluctuating body size (common with arthritis) can make it hard to find a consistently well-fitting bra, especially when many options don’t account for daily changes in body shape.

Trying on multiple bras in a store can be exhausting for any woman.

If you deal with chronic pain, you would want to order them online.

Even then, it’s good to know what styles to look for because we know shopping online can also be quite a tiresome journey.

Arthritis-friendly bra options

The following 5 styles are loved for their comfort, ease of wear, and easy-fastening.

1. Front-Closure Bras:

| See Amazon

• Why they help: No need to reach behind your back!
• Best features: Wide hooks, magnetic closures, or Velcro.
• Good options: Playtex, Glamorise, or adaptive brands like AnaOno.

2. Zip Front Closure Bras:

| See Amazon

• Why they help: easy to put on and zip up
• Brands to check out: Underoutfit, The Able Label.

3. Pull-On or Step-In Bras (No Clasps):

| See Amazon

• Why they help: No fiddly fasteners — just slip over your head or step into them.
• Best features: Stretchy, supportive fabric, wide straps.
• Good options: Coobie, Knix, True & Co.

4. Wireless and Soft Cup Bras:

| See Amazon

• Why they help: No underwire digging into sensitive areas.
• Best features: Seamless design, wide underband for stability.
• Good options: Bravado Designs, Warner’s, Soma.

5. Adjustable or Wide Straps:

| See Amazon

• Why they help: Relieves pressure on shoulders, and front-adjusting straps are easier to handle.
• Good options: Bali, Curvy Couture, ThirdLove.

Tips for modifying existing bras

Do you already have bras you like, but they’re tricky to put on? Let me show you a few practical adjustments you might consider.

1. Bra Extenders:

If tight bands cause pain or are hard to fasten, add an extender to give extra length.

2. Bra Shoulder Strap Cushions:

Shoulder strap pads can effectively relieve the pain of shoulder straps. The cushions provide comfort and protection for your shoulder.

3. Bra Clips:

They’re perfect for holding bra straps in place and flat.

4. Add a Soft Lining or Padding:

A cotton bra liner creates a barrier that helps minimize moisture. This reduces the risk of skin irritation and redness.

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