Purses and Lower Back Pain

Can carrying a purse cause low back pain?

Absolutely.  And for those of us who already suffer from Piriformis Syndrome or Sciatica, purse-carrying can agitate our symptoms.  There is good news.  Several minor adjustments can alleviate the side effects of carrying a handbag.

Let’s look at why purses are causing pain, then we’ll see what can be done about it.

Carrying a purse to one side of the body, on a regular basis throws the body into a state of unbalance.  Keep in mind that even the slightest amount can build up over time to result in some of the chronic pain we experience.  So it may not be something we notice immediately.
How does it do this?

1. It throws off our natural gait. This means that the body doesn’t move the way it was designed when we walk.  We are forced to lean to one side (even if slightly), arms do not swing properly, hips rotate in an irregular motion, and knees move in an irregular arc.

2. Our body is forced to compensate for the off-centered load.  Besides irregular motion, the back twists and leans, the neck cranes to one side, muscles tense and strain.  This can lead to chronic muscle and tendon inflammation.

3. Irregular gait and overcompensation results in asymmetric muscles.  Just like a bodybuilder who only does curls with one arm, the muscles on the compensating side of the body grow larger that the muscles on the other side.  This increases irregular gait and overcompensation, even when the purse has been left behind.  Unbalance results in more inflammation, stiff muscles, nerve pain and even chronic headaches.

These painful side effects are particularly noticed in the lower back, hip joints, gluteal muscles and the sacrum.

And now for the good news.

These side effects can be avoided with only a few minor adjustments!

1. Carry no more than 5 percent of your body weight.  Yes, this means putting your purse on the bathroom scale.  Lock the door.  No one will see; no one will laugh.  This weight is generally accepted to be a reasonable weight to carry for longer periods of time.


2. Choose a small bag.  There are several reasons for this.  One is that it self regulates the amount of weight you can carry.  The second is that it is less likely to significantly bump against you, throwing off your gait.


3. Choose a purse that allows you to swing your arms and legs naturally, encouraging the natural gait of your body.  If possible, carry your purse in the center of your body. Fashion statements aside, there is much to be said for back packs and fanny packs.


4. Go with a wide strap.  This distributes the weight of the bag more evenly across your shoulders.


5. Exercise and stretch regularly (especially with the Piri-Stretcher® from Miracle Stretch®).  The benefits of these cannot be stressed enough; they help fight inflammation, reduce soreness, and aid in offsetting muscle asymmetry.

The cause of the pain we experience isn’t always easy to identify.  Keep an open mind and consider all possibilities.  Once we identify the source, the cure becomes much easier.