Your Purchases May Be Hurting Your Back!

By Donna Stark

Shopping. You either love it, hate it, or tolerate it just enough to purchase exactly what you need. But no matter which category you fall into, do you ever take the time to think about how some of your purchases can affect the health of your back? Unfortunately, many people do not give enough consideration to this. Usually, the ones who do are already dealing with chronic back pain and know what to look for, but what about those who feel fine the majority of their days? Should this be something they need to worry about? The answer to that is a resounding yes! And here are three perfect examples to explain why.

Purses, Bags, and Backpacks

Whatever you use, the bag that you sling over your shoulder can single-handedly become the biggest culprit for future pain and discomfort. In addition to putting excess pressure on muscles, tendons, and ligaments, heavy and overloaded bags can also shift the spine out of alignment. This can have a domino effect on your shoulders, hips, and knees and can lead to long-term pain as well as serious health issues. To avoid future problems, choose cross-body purses, reduce some of the weight being carried, purchase rolling backpacks, and make sure shoulder straps are wide.

Footwear

It's no surprise that high heels can lead to back pain, but did you know that other shoes can cause the same problem too? You should choose your footwear based on how supportive it is to your feet rather than how it looks, but let's be real. Fashion usually comes first. So if that's the case, try to do what you can to minimize the damage. Instead of flip-flops, wear supportive sandals or in place of stilettos, choose wider-block heels or wedges. Just make sure your shoes are properly fitted and provide great arch support, no matter what you decide to wear.

Tight clothing

Those skinny jeans, pencil skirts, and compression garments may help you look and feel your best, but if they are too tight, too stiff, or too constricting, your range of motion and flexibility could be limited. This can lead to added stress and strain on your back, increasing your risk of pain and injury. To reduce this risk, you should choose fabrics that have some give or go up a size.

Buying With Your Back in Mind

Even though it appears to be the "center of strength" in your body, the spine, with all of its components and parts, is extremely susceptible to injury. And if you don't think about the consequences that some of your purchases may have on it, you may very well end up dealing with future pain. So shop smart, consider the long-term effects that your purchases may have on your back and overall comfort, and protect your spine in the process!

To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Acworth, Ga.