Is Fashion Causing Your Back Pain?

I'll admit that I tend to take fashion trends and my overall general appearance more seriously than I really need to, and I know I'm not the only person out there who has a similar desire to look fashionable at all times. Even though it can certainly be fun to practically parade down the street in cute high heels and a sleek shoulder bag, it may not be the wisest thing to do, at least when it comes to your physical health and wellness.

I think it's safe to say that most of us know that walking in high heels for hours on end can cause some health issues, mainly pain in the feet and calves, but it turns out that there are many more potentially severe consequences that come from dressing in clothing and accessories that aren't exactly made for comfort.

I learned from a post by the American Chiropractic Association that the link between fashionable items such as footwear and purses, may have a stronger tie to back and joint pain than many of us may have previously realized. Read on to learn more about the potentially dangerous results that can arise from an overly-fashionable wardrobe. 

Of course, high heels are some of the biggest culprits when it comes to making fashion choices that are poor for our health. Not only can high heels cause foot pain, but they can also contribute to back pain and soreness as well. This is because high heeled shoes actually change the balance and posture of a person's body, since high heels cause the pelvis to tip forward unnaturally in order to maintain balance. This is already unhealthy enough, but many women who wear high heels also choose to carry small shoulder bags that contain many heavy items, which only makes the balancing act even more difficult to maintain.

The solution? Try to wear flat shoes at all times; if you must wear heels, opt for ones that are less than three inches high, and that are thicker than stilettos. As for your bag, choose a backpack with padded shoulder straps (there are fashionable options out there, I promise!), and be sure to clean out the backpack regularly to prevent it from getting too heavy.

Clothes that fit too tightly are a problem for both men and women to contend with. Tight clothes can restrict a person's movement so severely that their spinal alignment becomes thrown off. Make sure that your clothes allow you to perform simple everyday tasks, such as sitting and bending over, and your back and joints will thank you.

Used under Creative Commons Licensing courtesy of Tony Alter