Oh, come on Dr. Hall! My choice in fashion and accessories are a contributor to my joint pain? Now I’ve heard it all!

If this is what you’re thinking, as absurd as it might sound, there is legitimate science behind some fashion choices being a strong contributor to back pain, hip pain, knee pain, and other joint pain.

Though women may be affected more often than men, many people experience occasional back and neck pain because of their clothing choices. A 2017 report from the British Chiropractic Association¹ suggests that certain fashion trends — including skinny jeans, oversize handbags and backless shoes — could be to blame.

The most egregious issue is heavy handbags, purses, backpacks or knapsacks. When examining patients at Chattanooga Integrated Medicine Center, we often find that on one side of the shoulder, the trapezius muscle on top of the shoulder, is as hard as a rock and it is often because this is the side the patient most often carries their bag or knapsack. In some cases, their one shoulder is actually higher, closer to their ear, because they unconsciously raise their shoulder when holding a bag, trying to prevent it from slipping off while walking.

So what is the solution? First, know that Chattanooga Integrated Medicine Center specializes in alleviating pain, discomfort, and helping you achieve correct spinal alignment to keep you out of pain. But on your own, you can make the following decisions to help you when you carry a bag:

1. Lighten your load. Keep extra items that you normally tote around such as workout clothes, large books, or other non-essential items at work or home, so you’re not taking on more weight than you need.
2. If you carry your bag on your shoulder, look for a purse or other bag that has a thick strap, so the weight is better distributed
3. Remember to switch arms/shoulders occasionally to more evenly distribute use between them.It’s also good to consider where a bag hits when you walk. You don’t want your bag so low that it hits your legs, but you also don’t want it so high that you can’t swing your arms — both create problems with your gait.
4. Consider a backpack (worn on the back) or a smaller crossbody bag, both of which evenly distribute weight.

Next week, we’ll discuss shoe choices you may want to reconsider if you are experiencing unidentified pain in your back, neck, shoulders, or other joints. And don’t miss our look at skinny jeans and where they don’t fit into your daily wardrobe.

#savemyback.net #savemyknees.net

1.    Women’s back health suffering for the sake of fashion. British Chiropractic Association (BCA), March 14, 2017.