Is Your Wallet Causing You Pain?
By Sara Butler
When you think of your wallet, you might wince -- but only because you're thinking about your bank balance. The truth is that a wallet can lead to a lot more woes than just how much cash flow you have -- it can lead to back pain too.
If you have been suffering from back pain or discomfort and you're carrying around a wallet in your back pocket, then it might be in the wrong place. Hip-pocket syndrome is a real thing and wallet sciatica impacts the lives of more people than you probably realize. Here are a few suggestions from the chiropractors at The Joint Chiropractic to help you get rid of the pain associated with your wallet -- your back pain, that is!
Your Wallet
It can't be denied that a wallet does a lot for you. It holds your cards, your cash, and even that huge stack of loyalty cards to stores you haven't visited since 2010. Sure, it can be difficult to let go of things you've been carrying for so long, but you may want to consider slimming things down for the sake of your back.
Even if you have a slim wallet already, sitting on it each day when you're in the car, at work, or at home, can lead to big problems. It throws off the symmetry of your hips and pelvis when you sit, which can cause lower back and leg pain. This imbalance can distress your body from back to buttocks as every single part will try to overcompensate for the unnatural tilt to your pelvis and hips. Plus, your wallet can press on your sciatic nerve and cause pain all the way to the tips of your toes.
Letting this go on for too long can also lead to issues with your spinal joints, muscles, and spinal discs which can eventually lead to pain, degenerative changes in the spine, and dysfunction.
What to Do
You probably understand by now that carrying around a massive wallet in your back pocket is a bad idea. That's great! Here's what you can try instead:
- Don't carry a wallet - That's right, you can use a variety of payment apps right on your smartphone that doesn't require you to carry a wallet at all
- Get a money clip - Go classic and keep that money clip in your front pocket
- Go minimalist - A slim wallet simply won't have the capacity to carry around a lot of stuff and it's easier to keep in your jacket or shirt pocket
Stop letting your ginormous wallet weigh you down. Start new and healthier habits with the help of the chiropractors at The Joint.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Las Vegas, Nev.