Tips to Avoid Back Pain from Heavy Bags
By Sara Butler
Nearly every single person carries some sort of bag over the course of their daily lives. Whether it’s a briefcase, a backpack, a purse, or a laptop case, your bag may just be the reason behind your back pain. At The Joint Chiropractic, the chiropractors see a lot of people suffering from back, shoulder, and neck pain due to their bags, even children! You can reduce your chances of experiencing back pain due to your bag if you follow just a few basic tips.
Try a Wheeled Bag
If you know you have a lot to carry around each day, then it may be worth the investment to get a bag with wheels. Wheeled bags can greatly reduce your risk of injury and back pain. While they may not be the most fashionable things in the world, a healthy spine will never go out of style!
Watch the Weight
You should weigh your bag. If it’s more than 10 percent of your body weight, then it’s too heavy and could potentially cause back issues for you. Carrying a lot of weight for most of the day will increase your risk of injury and pain, so stay under 10 percent in order stay healthy and safe.
Look at Your Shoes
Shoes – what do they have to do with your bag? Beyond trying to match your bag to your shoes (and maybe your belt!) you need to wear shoes that support your body properly. Footwear that offers little to no support will only make any pain you experience from your bag even worse. Wear shoes that offer arch support and have a low heel. You may be amazed how much better your back and feet feel with this one small change!
Clean Out Your Bag
Do you really need all that stuff in your bag? It’s one thing to carry around the stuff you need, but you probably don’t need $5.68 in change or six tubes of lip balm. Go through your bag and take out the stuff you don’t need in an effort to declutter. It’s a simple way to reduce weight that can damage your back.
If you make these changes and still experience back pain or discomfort, then you should seek the help of a chiropractor if you haven’t already! They can determine the underlying cause of your discomfort and help you to feel better.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in San Jose, Calif.
