Women with very large, heavy breasts can suffer from back, neck and shoulder pain, hand numbness and headaches. These symptoms can interfere with work, sleep and exercise. Symptoms often persist despite wearing of special support bras, courses of physical therapy, chiropractic and massage, and weight loss. Reduction mammaplasty – breast reduction surgery – reduces the size of the breast and elevates the breast position on the chest wall. As long as the appropriate amount of tissue is removed, women can expect complete or near complete relief of symptoms. The scars are noticeable at first, but eventually fade considerably. In many cases breast reduction is covered by insurance.