Is Your Bag Causing You Back Pain?

Is Your Bag Causing You Back Pain?

Most people experience back pain at some point in their life and for many, this back pain can be not just annoying, but debilitating. Back pain is often attributed to heavy labor, bending the wrong way, an accident causing trauma, or even poor sleep habits. But one factor we often are unaware of as leading to back pain is the bag we choose to wear. From fashionable purses to backpacks filled with school supplies, the bag you wear and how you wear it could be a possible culprit for your back pain.

It is well known that poor posture is a leading cause of back pain. People who wear purses most often wear their purse on one side. A heavy purse can weigh down your shoulders, causing poor posture and stress on the spine and muscles in the back, neck and shoulders. Often, upon an initial evaluation, a physical therapist can physically see the asymmetry of shoulders caused by heavy purse wearing. This asymmetry can cause muscle spasms and friction of bones in the spine after years of wear and tear.

So what can you do to avoid back pain caused by bag wearing? The biggest factor to take into consideration is weight. Be aware of the weight of your bag. While a large and spacious bag may seem like the optimal choice to carry around all your necessities, it is best to avoid over packing your bag and adding unnecessary weight and stress on your back. A general rule is to never carry more than 10% of your body weight. Other things to consider are alternating shoulders when wearing a purse and looking into cross-body bags, which offer weight distribution and put less stress on the shoulder and back.

If you or someone you know is experiencing back pain, our physical therapists in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn can help you treat it and get back to living pain free. Call Sarrica Physical Therapy and Wellness Center at 347-560-6920.