Prevent Back Pain and Improve Your Posture

Experts
say it can prevent back pain and improve your posture. Lugging your gym
clothes, work files, makeup, and more in an oversize bag may streamline
your life, but it can actually increase stress -- on your back.

"Carrying weight on one side of your body makes your lower
back muscles contract harder than usual to maintain your posture," says
Michael Schafer, M.D., chairman of orthopedic surgery at Northwestern
University Feinberg School of Medicine. "This can cause chronic pain
over time."

Save your back by toting your bag on the right on your way to
work and on your left when you head home, or vice versa, so your
muscles bear the brunt evenly.

Trimming your bag of excess pounds also helps. The American
Chiropractic Association advises that a shoulder bag weigh no more than
10 percent of your body weight, but today's plus-size purses may easily
exceed that. At the end of every week, clear out all nonessential
items. It will lighten your physical-and mental-load.

For added comfort, choose a bag with a wide, adjustable strap

Source: Shape. Provided by
ProQuest Information and Learning. Powered by Yellowbrix.