Is Your Bag Causing Back Pain?
If you are experiencing frequent pain in your back, shoulders, or neck, chances are you are carrying more weight than necessary. Around 80 percent of Americans experience back pain in their lifetime, according to the American Chiropractic Association.
While bags were only used to carry essential items until the 20th century, a lot has changed since then. They have become bigger and heavier and could be a possible reason for your back pain. Let’s dive into why your bag could be the culprit and find out how to fix it for a pain-free life.
One-Sided Strain
Women usually carry their handbag loaded with essentials to work on one shoulder. This develops the muscles in the shoulder, upper back, and neck more than others. The uneven weight distribution causes the weaker muscles on the other side to affect your posture and strain your back and neck muscles over time. Due to this, you can experience asymmetrical pain on one side.
Lack of Weight Distribution
Carrying a heavy backpack on your shoulders places unsupported weight on your shoulders, which puts the muscles under strain. This lack of weight distribution affects the ability to maintain an upright posture and causes you to lean on one side.
It Affects the Natural Gait
Your natural gait is the movement of your legs and arms when you walk. It is severely affected when you carry a backpack or a heavy shoulder bag. Your natural gait is responsible for a healthy posture and upright back. When you carry more weight than necessary, day in and day out, your natural gait is altered. It also causes more exertion on one side of your body, causing the shoulder and neck muscles to experience unnecessary strain.
Muscle Stiffness
When you hang excessive weight on your shoulders, such as in the case of a bag, it tightens the shoulder muscles, also known as trapezium muscles. You will start experiencing muscle stiffness in the shoulder and neck area, which can affect your daily functioning. It can also prevent the full range of motion of your neck.
Also read: How to get rid of shoulder pain after waking up
How to Prevent Back Ache
If you are experiencing back pain due to a heavy bag, it is time to make some changes to your lifestyle. Following are some things you can do to prevent sore muscles and pain.
Lighten the Load
You may think you need to carry everything with you, but it is not all necessary. Do a weekly assessment and only keep the essential items in your handbag to avoid carrying excessive weight.
Switch Sides
If you carry a single-strap bag, make sure you switch sides often to distribute the weight on both shoulders. Carrying it only on one side can affect your posture.
Carry a Small Bag
The smaller bag you carry, the fewer items you will take with you. Oversized bags often lead to carrying unnecessary items you think you need but really don’t. If you must, consider getting a backup that equally distributes the weight on both shoulders.
If you are suffering from persistent back pain, it is best to consult a specialist at a pain management center. Ignoring the condition can only lead to more health troubles. Schedule an appointment today in New Jersey for an assessment.