Why your wallet or purse is giving you back pain

Guys and gals, ditch the heavy containers that hold your cash. Sitting on a thick and bulky wallet is one of the worst things you can do for your back, and lugging around a bulbous purse is just as bad.

For the fellas, when it comes to wallets, size matters. That money monstrosity can affect your balance and cause slipped discs, pinched nerves, and sciatica, when stuffed in your back pocket day in and day out. Over time, your sciatic nerve, which sits behind your hip joint, gets pinched between the wallet and your hip. That means pain like you wouldn’t believe. Instead of sitting on something that raises one side of your hip to a dangerous ¼ to 2 inches, consider going with a thin front wallet instead. There are many inexpensive varieties available that contour nicely and comfortably to your front pocket—and best of all, they won’t cause undue strain on your back.

As for you ladies, let’s also cool it with the giant bags. Carrying a heavy purse causes your natural balance to be thrown off, especially since most women tend to favor one side when they carry their purse. This can lead to distorted posture, stiff neck and back muscles, headaches, and lower back pain. A good rule of thumb is to only carry around 10 percent of your body weight in your bag. So if you weigh 150 pounds, your purse shouldn’t weigh more than 15 pounds. Another trick is to buy purses with wider straps. This will distribute weight over a wider area and protect the delicate shoulder structure. Finally, it’s a good idea to switch the shoulder your purse hangs from periodically.