Is it normal to have pain when you first start binding?

Q: I just started binding. I have been taking breaks and have only worn it for 2 days for less than 8 hours and I am having a lot of chest and shoulder pain and a hard time breathing. Is pain normal when you first start binding?

A: The pain you are experiencing and the difficulty breathing indicate that your binder is not a good fit. When you first start binding, there can be some initial soreness as you adjust but the pain that you are describing is most likely an indication that you are wearing a binder that is too small.

I want to applaud you for easing into binding and taking breaks, those are two of the things that can prevent pain and discomfort. I recommend wearing your new binder for a few hours at a time for the first 2 weeks and testing what it feels like to do the activities that are most common in your day to day life. In this way, the body adjusts and you learn when, where and how to wear/not wear your new binder.

I cannot provide medical advice but I advise discontinuing wearing it entirely and evaluate whether the pain subsides. Often it takes several days to stop feeling soreness after hours spent in a binder that is too small. If you are experiencing sharp, stabbing pain in your ribcage, see a doctor, physical therapist or chiropractor.

You can read more about finding the right binder size in “How do I know if I am getting the right size binder?”