At CostaSpine, we have worked with many women throughout different periods of their breast implant journey. Almost all the women we’ve worked with who have had breast implants have complained about back pain and almost impossible-to-stop shoulder slouching.
Breast augmentation is the number one surgical procedure for women, outnumbering liposuction, nose reshaping, eyelid surgery and tummy tucks. Many believe that the breast implant is a permanent fixture even though various organizations warn against it. The FDA in the US explains that the longer you have breast implants, the more likely it will be for you to have them removed. With the cost of surgical removal matching that of the original implant surgery. In addition, their list of risks associated with this procedure is extensive and detailed, ranging from chest wall deformity to toxic shock syndrome.
Those suffering from these symptoms generally refer to the condition as Breast Implant Illness. Symptoms of this condition are a pattern of health problems likely caused by an autoimmune reaction to the implant. These include:
- Mental confusion
- Joint pain
- Hair loss
- Dry eyes
- Chronic fatigue
- Persistent flu-like symptoms
Studies on long-term implant users indicate that, in the pectoral (chest) and intercostal areas (ribs), gradual and irreversible deterioration of muscle function takes place. Respiratory problems are widespread among implant users, as are complications affecting major lymphatic ducts and fluid irrigation of the upper chest areas leading to inflammatory changes in the tissue and surrounding area.
Common side effects seen at Costaspine with those who have breast implants:
- Rounded upper back: The immediate impact of the implants on the body is that they cause shoulders to round forward and the thoracic spine to curve forward excessively. Also, the physics of the location of the implants cause the muscles of the front of the chest to contract, and the thoracic spine has nowhere else to go but into excessive flexion.
- Laboured breathing: The rounding of one’s shoulders make it hard to breathe. This reduces the capacity of the lungs and you would have to breathe forcefully against resistance continuously.
- Compensation: The indirect effects of the implants are that they can cause compensations to occur elsewhere in the body due to changed biomechanics. This compensation often leads to headaches, lower back and hip issues in females which become chronic over time. This complex postural alteration tends to directly involve the cervical spine too, with persistent contraction of the cervical spine–stabilizing muscles (trapezius and cervical paravertebral muscles). The sequence of events eventually leads to the pain chain, a continuous spinal pain starting at the lumbar level and extending progressively to the cervical spine, with shoulder irritation.
At Costaspine we have a team of professionals who work together to combat these unwanted side effects of breast implants. Together with Chiropractic, Massage and Personal Training, we have seen a reduction in the amount of pain our clients have with increased functionality day to day.
Yours in Healthcare
