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 The new trend of oversized handbags are causing a lot more pain than many people realize. They are causing a lot of damage to the human body and many people are oblivious to this.
We agree that they look great and there is nothing wrong with carrying them around, it is just when you fill them up with a purse, water bottle, laptop, cell phone, magazines, make up, work documents and even shoes that it becomes a problem.
Before even realizing it there is a sharp pain in your neck or shoulders which could even travel down your arm. The additional weight causes problems in two main ways:
- It creates a strain on a number of nerves causing aching and pains to occur from the neck down to the arms.
- The muscles in your upper back that stablilise the shoulder blade struggle to balance the extra weigh evenly. Within time these muscles become worn and simple things like giving someone a hug or reaching for something can cause pain.
 It only takes an extra 5 kilo on one side to force the trunk of the body to tilt sideways causing extra strain on the lower back. A designer handbag to your back is like a stiletto to your foot.
Central City Health Professionals would like to provide you with the following tips to help keep you injury free:
- Don’t ignore the signs: If you are already experiencing any stiffness in the neck, pain in the arm or headaches don’t ignore the signs. If you have a large and heavy bag and don’t have the correct posture you may be heading down the path to an injury.
- Strength: Call Central City Health Professionals today if you aren’t aware what your muscle imbalances are. We can show you the correct exercises to correct this and keep the pain away.
- Posture: Posture is the most important aspect when it comes to keeping injury free. The correct stance is back straight without leaning to either side and shoulders relaxed.
 Straps: It is important to rotate the strap from each shoulder so you are not always using the same one. Also if possible hang your bag with the strap diagonally across your chest. This will evenly spread the weight and prevent you from hiking your shoulder as the bag won’t feel like it’s slipping off.
- Rotate: Try to rotate between different bags and keep the contents to a bare minimum.
If the weight of your bag is quite excessive your neck may project forward causing pain in the back, headaches and tension in your neck. However there are many other associated handbag injuries. Perth women recommend Central City Health Professional when any of these issues arise.
 Studies show that your handbag should not be in excess of 10% of your body weight.
When it’s time to choose a new handbag we recommend the following:
- Bags with short straps/handles should be
- Held in your hand
- Over the forearm or
- Over the shoulder
- Try avoiding long strapped bags. They tend to slip down your shoulder causing your shoulders to hunch.
Any large bag is dangerous as it makes you more inclined to place a lot of things in it causing it to get quite heavy. Try placing your most accessed items in a position in your bag where you don’t have to twist your trunk to find them.
Your health and wellbeing is most important.
Call Central City Health Professionals Today on 08 9421 1733 today and let us show how we can help you
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