What Your Backpacks, Purses, & Bags Are Doing to Your Spine

You probably think nothing about carrying around a heavy backpack, purse, or bag with you throughout the day. However, backpacks, purses and other bags can all cause your muscles to be off balance. The muscle tension accumulates, and over time, can lead to spinal misalignment. Fortunately, we know what signs to look for:

Abnormal Gait

Your gait may change ever so slightly at first due to the added weight on your shoulder. You might be straining or shifting your weight unevenly to compensate for the added weight. After a while, this abnormal gait can affect the spine, causing it to curve unnaturally. Good news is that chiropractic adjustments can correct this, and prevent it from recurring.

Stiff Muscles

The tendons and ligaments in your back, neck, and arms are all working to help you carry your bag around. Days months and years of toting around a bag can cause your spine to compress, leading to chronic pain. Plus, prolonged pressure on your back and joints can lead to more serious problems. Try chiropractic before your pain becomes chronic!

Neck and Back Pain

When you carry a purse, or wear your backpack on one shoulder your body tries to compensate for the uneven weight distribution. You do this by altering your posture. Your muscles work overtime to compensate for the weight and the posture changes. Over time this will lead to recurring neck and back pain.

Find Relief at Markson Chiropractic

You may have noticed that each of these problems can be solved with the help of a chiropractor. If you can't avoid carrying around a bag all day, make sure to give us a call to schedule an appointment!