Back ache? Blame your handbag

Back ache, muscle strain, stiff neck - do any of these sound familiar? What many of us don't know, is that our handbag could be to blame. People today are carrying far more in their purses, backpacks and briefcases than ever before and while carrying an oversized day bag may be trendy, it could be ruining your body. A large number of women complain of pain resulting from carrying heavy bags. Common health concerns include shoulder ache, lower back pain, neck problems, headaches and can even result in arthritis or other joint problems. Hence, one needs to be careful before the problem gets out of hand. Pack your bag wisely Leading orthopedic surgeon, Dr Ashish Phadnis says carrying heavy loads on the back can lead to various kinds of back problems, stooping posture, back pain, muscle strain, and sprains. "Generally, it is said that the maximum weight a person should carry is about 15 per cent of his/her body weight. Ideally, the weight should be carried on the back and it should be distributed across a wider area, viz both shoulders, if heavy. Also, if packed wisely and the load is distributed, then there will be no unusual stress or pressure." says Dr Ashish. He further adds that uneven weight distribution can lead to postural problems like drooping shoulders, impingement syndromes in the shoulder, chronic neck pain, pressure and stretch on the tissues, which may lead to radiating pain and tingling numbness. Treatment required in such cases is resting sore muscles, correcting the posture and strengthening the muscles by doing focussed exercises under the supervision of a physiotherapist. Alleviate the strain Dr Darius Soonawala, leading Orthopedic surgeon says back strain is a common complaint amongst patients. The amount of load a person can carry will vary greatly and depend on the person, shape of the load and method of lifting it. He suggests, "In general, while lifting, avoid bending forward from the back but keep the object close to your body. If you need to carry the load for a long distance, a bag with shoulder straps (like a backpack) is preferable. If one notices pain while lifting, one should immediately stop. Also, get help if you feel the load is too much for you to handle." Regular back strengthening exercises are advisable for those whose job entails regular lifting. Warning signs How do you know when the load you're carrying is too much? Dr Kaushal Malhan, Joint replacement surgeon, says the body has a good built-in safety mechanism and any form of discomfort is a red light for you to stop carrying heavy weights. "Sudden lifts don't cause as much injury as chronic low stress weights. These cause a repetitive strain on the body. Always ensure that the load is distributed symmetrically over the body and if you injure your back immediately take remedial measures."