Rid yourself of back pains and aches with tips on how to carry your favourite bags
STUFFING handbags to bursting point could be putting your health at risk. It is not only what we take with us, but how we hold our bags that might cause aches and pains.
Abby McHale asks Marc Sanders, from the British Chiropractic Association, for advice on the safest ways to carry arm candy.
Cross-body
- Cross-body, £20, Primark –
Marc says: “Place it over one shoulder and have the bag land on the side of your hip but no lower, as this can pull the shoulder down. Prolonged postures tend to provoke neck and back pain due to lack of movement.”
Do: Make sure bag sits on the hip, put it down frequently.
Don’t: Let it hang below hip, wear it without a break.
Shoulder
- Shoulder bag, £28, River Island –
Marc says: “Invest in a bag with a long strap so you can wear it as a cross-body, helping to distribute weight. Keep shoulders relaxed. Swap sides regularly.
Do: Alternate which side you carry it on and use the cross-body strap if it is an option.
Don’t: Overfill it, making it heavy, or hunch shoulders.
Suitcase
- Suitcase, £35, Primark –
Marc says: “Always lift with your legs. When buying a case look for the lightest bag possible and one with four wheels. If possible, pushing your suitcase instead of pulling can help to prevent your back from twisting, the newer style of suitcases with four wheels can help to reduce the load on your back.”
Do: Look for cases with four wheels, lift with your legs.
Don’t: Buy a suitcase that’s heavy even when empty
Clutch (£25, Faith at Debenhams)
- Clutch, £25, Debenhams –
Marc says: “The closer a bag is to your body, the better it is for your posture. Holding a bag further away can add strain to your back.
“However, there isn’t a perfect posture or way to carry a clutch. What matters most is the variety of positions and to modify the load. Injuries tend to occur when we use too much load, for too long, and too often.”
Do: Hold the bag close to your body, gripping it under the arm.
Don’t: Overfill it, carry it for too long or in the same position.
Backpack
- Backpack, £19.99, New Look – buy now
Marc says: “The best ways to minimise strain, is to have the rucksack high on your back and no lower than your waist to even out the weight.” And if you use one every day, Marc recommends a specialist style with “well-padded shoulder straps and a waist strap, because if you regularly carry large items, this allows the load to be efficiently distributed”.
Do: Wear using both shoulder straps, sit it high on your back and not lower than the waist.
Don’t: Let it hang on the lower back, or wear it slung over just one arm.
Bumbag
- Bumbag, £15, Asos.com –
Marc says: “Wear it clipped around your waist for even distribution, There’s a phrase now, ‘your best posture is your next posture’ – i.e. keep moving by varying the way you stand.”
Do: Keep moving while wearing a bumbag.
Don’t: Overfill it, especially when wearing it over your shoulder.
Top handle
- Top handle, £10, Primark –
Marc says: “To avoid neck strain, try carrying your bag like a clutch – the closer to your body it is, the less pressure it puts on your neck, shoulders and back.”
Do: Carry it close to the body, change its positioning and the weight it holds.
Don’t: Overpack it, or carry it in the same hand all day.
Holdall
- Holdall, £89, Radley –
Marc says: “To avoid injuring yourself, make use of the long strap and wear it across your body.”
Do: Pack light. Look for one with wheels or extend the strap to wear as a crossbody.
Don’t: Carry it on one shoulder all day or overfill it.
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