Wardrobe Malfunctions: Are Your Clothes Causing You Pain?

From skinny jeans to sky-high stilettos, your clothing, shoes, and accessories may be a source of chronic pain that no amount of style will alleviate.

What's causing your chronic pain? Turns out, it could be your wardrobe.

A number of chronic pain issues can be traced to what you wear. The problem is most common in women — a whopping 88 percent wear shoes that are too small for them — but men can be fashion pain victims too. Among the high-style culprits are ultratight skinny jeans and mega pursesthat border on suitcase size. We've scoured the racks for some of the common clothing choices that cause chronic pain – and we've researched some painless alternatives.

Toe Pressure: High Heels and Pointy Shoes
Stilettos and other dramatic styles may be fashionable, but they are waging war on your feet on a daily basis, says Neil M. Scheffler, MD, a podiatrist at Sinai Hospital in Baltimore, Md. The result can ultimately be chronic pain. “High heels place the foot in a ‘toe-down’ position with the heel up, which puts a great deal of pressure on the front of the foot, mainly on the metatarsal bones,” he says. This creates short-term discomfort and can lead to long-term pain and other problems. “With continued wearing of high heels, the Achilles tendon shortens, creating an imbalance that can lead to foot deformities as well as postural symptoms.”

Flimsy Support: Flip-Flops and Flats
Considering the problem with high heels, you might think that wearing flip-flops or other flats would be the proper course of action for pain management, but these styles can cause pain in other ways. “Because flip-flops have no support for the foot, mechanical disorders are exaggerated,” says Dr. Scheffler. “Flip-flops are notorious for causing heel and arch pain called plantar fasciitis.” Instead, Scheffler suggests wearing running shoes. “I explain to my patients that to run 26-plus miles in a marathon, you need a great shoe,” he says. “Why not use this technology for everyday footwear?” Running shoes are supportive, give great cushioning, have adequate toe room, and are often available in varying widths, he adds.

Excess Baggage: Heavy Purses and Bags
Chiropracter Brett Winchester, an instructor at Logan College of Chiropractic in Chesterfield, Mo., has noticed a dangerous trend when it comes to women’s handbags and chronic pain. “With larger purses, many women are tempted to carry more items, which adds stress to the neck and shoulder areas,” he says. “We recommend a reasonably sized purse that can be draped across the shoulders and allows the arms to swing freely for walking.” For pain management or prevention, center the weight of the purse in the middle of your back or chest to balance your center of gravity.

Sciatica in Your Pocket: Men's Wallets
If you’re a man looking for easy pain treatment, simply take your wallet out of your back pocket whenever you are sitting, says Dr. Winchester. Sitting on your wallet creates a two-fold pain problem. “First, the wallet can put direct pressure on the sciatic nerve,” he says. “Second, it can create a pelvic unleveling, which can prompts imbalances throughout the body. Such problems can become prevalent among men who commute for long periods of time.”

Too Tight: Skinny Jeans
You may think you look good in stylish clothing choices like skinny jeans, miniskirts, and other tight clothing, but you might not like the long-term chronic pain that can result from wearing them. “There are reported cases of these jeans causing a nerve disorder called lateral femoral cutaneous nerve entrapment, though this would be considered rare,” says Winchester. “Other issues these jeans can create include the lack of hip extension. In human gait the hip is designed to have a certain amount of extension and flexion.” Skinny, tight jeans can hamper this motion, which can create pain problems in the lower back.

Unfit for the Job: Bras
Women can do themselves a favor when it comes to pain management or, better yet, prevention, by simply taking the time to find a bra that fits them well. Winchester says bras that fit poorly can create chronic pain problems in several ways. “Ill-fitting bras cause deep grooves in the shoulder area and can rub on the lower part of the rib cage,” he explains. “Most noticeably, an ill-fitting bra can also affect cosmetic appearance and everyday activities.” The pain management solution is simple: “Buying bras is like buying shoes,” says Winchester. “They must be tried on in the store first before purchasing. Specialty stores that only sell bras are usually great places to make an informed purchase.”