Putting on a Bra with One Hand (post stroke, hemiplegia, amputation, CP, etc)
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 4 ต.ค. 2024
- A practical way to put on a bra that clasps in the back.
Note: if you only have use on one arm, bras that clasp in the front will be must easier. But, if your favorite bra clasps in the back, here's how you might find success using just a single arm.
I briefly discussed donning a bra in my earlier video ( • Getting Dressed With O... ) but lacked a bra to demo with at the time.
So, this video applies to individuals who can stand up as well as those who are UNABLE to stand up. Also, if you are unable to stand and are having trouble putting on your pants, see here: • Putting on Pants with ...
Pertinent Timestamps
Donning a bra if you are UNABLE to stand: 3:40
This video was made for the purposes of providing guidance to physical therapists and is meant to be coupled with their own clinical decision making and judgment. Given the implications of different medical conditions, the education and techniques used in this video may not be entirely applicable for every patient and should not be used if contraindications are present.
Copyright, Liability Waiver and Disclaimers. All rights reserved.
This publication may not be reproduced in any part, transmitted in any form, or stored in a retrieval system except under the express written permission of Warren McAdams, PT, DPT as permitted under the United States Copyright Act.
Information provided is for the guidance of licensed physical therapists only and is not meant to supplement a formal physical therapy evaluation or physician visit. Seek consult from your appropriate health care provider for questions pertaining to your medical concerns. Warren McAdams will not be liable for any injuries or damages resulting from advice and/or treatment strategies presented in this video thus will not be liable for any consequential, direct or indirect, incidental, or punitive damages or harm arising out of access to or the use of any content.
Thanks so much for taking the time to do this. I take the easy way out: have the hooks sewn in place and put on over my head like a shirt or sports bra.
Elizabeth, you just made my jaw drop!
I have educated individuals on donning shirts and sports bras, but it has never occurred to me to sow the hooks/clasps together on a classic bra so you could put it on like a shirt. The PTs and OTs that I work with will go wild when I share this with them tomorrow.
If you have any other helpful tips/tricks, please don't hesitate to let me know.
Thank you so much for your insight- you made my day!
-Warren
@@WarrenMcAdamsPT I'm so happy this was useful information. Going on 22 years as a one-armed person in a two-armed world I have lots of tips and tricks of the trade. The bra dilema seems to be number one to most women in the support groups I attend. Next would be shoe laces. Salomon quicklace system and Nike Flyease shoes are tops on my list right now. Little more "hip" than velcro. Haha!
@@betheme29 Yes! I love Nike Flyease and Salomon shoes (because of the quicklaces). If your use of one-arm also comes with having to use an AFO or SMO foot/ankle orthoses (like in cases following a stroke), Billy shoes (classically used for children, but are now being made for adults) are also an amazing option since they have a zipper that runs along the side of the shoe. It makes them SO much easier to put your feet in with the added bulk of the orthosis.
Also, your 22 years of experience trump my experience as a PT, and I find myself so fortunate when I can learn from folks like yourself. So if, in the future, you ever think of any additional tips, don't hesitate to send them my way! Also, my coworkers said, "Thank you for sharing- we learned something new!" after passing along your tips from yesterday.
@@WarrenMcAdamsPT yes,someone in stroke support group mentioned Billy shoes. I do wear an AFO and find Cloud brand shoes also work because of the side zip. It's nice to see that more companies are offering accessible clothes and accessories to their lines. I'm hoping to find a job with one of these companies. Thank you for all you do!
@@betheme29 I hadn't heard of Cloud shoes before, so I searched for them online after reading your comment. "Cloud shoes" didn't bring up the appropriate footwear, but "Cloud shoes zipper" did (I'll have to remember this in the event I recommend them in the future). They look great, and I appreciate the range in their styles (like the Cloud Aika). Thank you for yet another excellent piece of information!
I am also happy to see more companies engaging in accessible clothing/accessories. From our limited correspondence so far, I think any of these companies would be very fortunate to have you on board.
So impressed to see PT addressing independence with ADLs, so many times we’re not blessed with OT’s in some settings.
I really appreciate that and I'm happy to help! Your comment brightened my day and provides a lot of encouragement! If there are other videos you might find helpful or information you might like me to share with others (whether it's from the perspective of a patient or clinician), feel free to let me know.
Thanks so much Warren. The bra video stramlines what is otherwise one of the worst and unspoken of challenges.
I'm glad to hear that the video was helpful for you, Lynne.
Unfortunately, the idea that this is "one of the worst and unspoken of challenges" seems to be a shared sentiment among women I've worked with. I understand it can be frustrating (and even infuriating) following a stroke, hemiplegia, amputation, etc. So, it's great that you found the video streamlines what can be a problematic task, and it's terrific that you're taking steps to make this process easier for yourself.
Also, as I mentioned in the description, bras that clasp in the front will be must easier to don and doff (as you may already know by now). And, if you haven't already, consulting with an occupational therapist for personalized advice and exercises to improve your mobility may also be helpful (they may have additional insight that I don't have as a PT).
Very clearly demonstrated. Thank you.
You are a wonderful teacher. Thank you so much for sharing this with us.
Thank you!! I didn’t know how I was going to do this with a cast but thanks to you I did!
I understand people may be initially put off by a male providing instruction for ADL dressing particularly a bra but there are many male Occupational Therapists and Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants that teach this everyday. It's the technique and instruction not the gender . Someone may find value in it especially if the instructor takes into account all the other personal factors and components that go along with putting on a bra with fasteners .
Your affirming words were wonderful to read. Your point of "it's the technique and instruction, not the gender" is greatly appreciated. Thank you very much.
I don’t have a problem with a man doing the presentation, it’s just pointless as from trying it (I’ve fractured my wrist), it’s hard work when you’ve a boob in the way
Thanks! I'm struggling post hand fracture!
Really a man, because bras are more than just simply the mechanics. Try this in a change room.
very useful info thanks
This technique is great maybe up to a D cup. Luckily I will only be one-handed for a month or so with carpal tunnel surgery. Can you please show how you would do this with size 38L breasts? I have roughly 25 lbs of breast tissue that fully covers the area where I would rotate the bra. Also if you are wearing larger size underwire bras, flipping the cups up will RUIN the bra. My dominant hand surgery is in a month and I am really desperate for a workable solution that isn't a painful 45 minute wrestling match.
wrist surgery so same. i'm a GG though small back. solution - you stand on the street and ask someone to do up your bra... put a t-shirt over it though. i did this every day for weeks following my last wrist fracture. i've moved since then so now i have a neighbour who comes round!
Thank you soso soooooooo much for the video
Awesome!
Thank you!
He hasn't been wearing bras long has he?
It's easy for him, he has no breats getting in the way!
Dani, you bring up a great point of consideration! For those with breasts that "get in the way," consider tucking the bra strap under a breast (where the underside of the breast meets the chest). Have the clasp positioned between both breasts at the middle of your chest. Doing so may allow your breast to help "hold the bra strap in place" while you pin your arm against the wall or bed. As such, this can be a way to use your breast tissue to your advantage. Note: be careful not to position it so that the clasps scratch your skin if the bra strap comes loose! So, to prevent this, maintain constant heavy pressure pushing the arm at your side more firmly into the wall/bed to stabilize the bra and prevent the strap from scratching you if the elastic recoils after coming loose.
These techniques and their variants take a lot of time and patience to learn, so please try not to feel frustrated through the process.
However, if you're still having trouble with this technique, please let me know which part(s) in the process is difficult, and I am more than willing to help troubleshoot. Because, more than likely, someone else may have the same struggles.
@@WarrenMcAdamsPT sorry warren this doesn't work if you wear a properly fitted bra. it's quite a tug doing one up with both hands so how on earth can your boob hold one end in place while you bring the other round to meet it. believe me i've tried every which way. most women do not wear the right sized bra so they go up in back sizes to get a larger cup size - the whole is then loose and gives no support. i'm a 30" chest so without a specialist company called BRAVISSIMO, this would be my fate...
I just clasp mine pull it over my head
It does require a little more available range of motion for reaching upward, but that is a wonderful idea, Susan! About a year ago, one of the other commenters had a similar vision and said that she has the hooks sewn in place and put on over her head like a shirt or sports bra.
Also, as you may already know from the video's description, bras that clasp in the front may be much easier than bras that clasp in the back. Thank you again for sharing that idea!
What size was the bra ?
idk
tried this - fractured wrist - your boobs get in the way so you can't see what you're doing and because i wear properly fitted bras that support you, they fit firmly around the chest; pull the other side round and the bit you're clamping pings away. great vid for flat chested women - who don't need a bra! so it's back to asking my - male - neighbour each day! cripes! pressing up against a door is impossible too cos boobs get in the way. a no go for me, but nice try.
Why is a bloke doing this bras are nothing to do with a bloke
Thank you this really help me.
I'm delighted that you were able to find help from this video. As mentioned to other commenters, if you have the range of motion in your arm(s) to reach upward, you may find it easier to put on a bra by pulling it over your head like a shirt (and you can have the clasps sewn to make it even easier). And, as mentioned in the video description, front clasping bras may be much easier than those that clasp in the back.
I find this patronising and stupid.Does a man really have to demonstrate to women how to put bras on. You have reached a real low point in your effective counselling about this problem and I am sure many women will feel the same. What are you playing at?
I apologize if my gender makes this video seem patronizing.
The reason I posted this was due to requests by female viewers immediately following my earlier video on donning other articles of clothing. But, quite honestly, it’s not uncommon for PT’s and OT’s (regardless of gender) to have female patients/clients who struggle to don a bra after a stroke (just like it’s not unusual for males or females to require education on how to don articles of clothing like shirts, pants, shoes, etc. following a stroke- despite having also worn those clothes throughout their lives as well).
So, while it may be true that someone has used a bra up until then, they may still require some education on how to modify their prior techniques to achieve success with the same tasks. It’s also essential to consider that the effects of a stroke are not always confined solely to physical manifestations of weakness or motor loss. New motor planning and donning techniques are often required to compensate for their altered function in other domains.
I do appreciate your feedback though, and I will consider having a female demonstrate this on TH-cam in the future.
I don't think you can speak for other women. As a woman and someone studying to become and OT, you have no idea how much this video will help fellow OTs or PTs get a better understanding of something as basic, yet important and personal to women. At the same time, for women who have conditions requiring compensation of a one-handed technique, they may be embarrassed and frustrated at not being able to do something that feels so important to them. This video will help them achieve what might seem small thing, but is really important to self-esteem and feeling good about themselves. So no, I don't believe many women will feel the same as you. In fact, because they are watching the video in privacy, it may even make them feel less conscious and more willing to practice following this as a guide within that private space.
@@fionarae I appreciate the input, Fiona. Your viewpoint was really affirming to hear. I hope you well in your path of occupational therapy and think your patients/clients will appreciate you very much, judging by the thoroughness and thoughtfulness of your commentary.
Gender makes no difference. After complete paralysis of one arm 22 years ago my male OT was the one to teach me to put on a long sleeve top. To this day I think of him and am grateful for the care he showed me whenever I manage a long sleeve top with ease. your remark was sexist,in my opinion.
Rock on! I will learn from anyone who can show me the way, male or female. I find the presentation tasteful and respectful.