Are you sitting on the problem?

August 25, 2020

If you have been suffering from back pain, perhaps the filing cabinet you’re carrying around in your back pocket is to blame. Wallet sciatica and hip-pocket syndrome are very real conditions. Here are my suggestions to avoid back pain associated with thick wallets.

Wallet — friend or foe?

There’s no denying it, wallets do a lot for us. They hold our credit cards, cash, and the stack of untouched loyalty cards . We understand — it can be difficult to let go. But for the sake of your back and the health of your spine, it might be time.

It is not a good idea to sit on a wallet of any size. It creates an imbalance in your pelvis and hips which can cause leg and/or low back pain. This imbalance can impact your hips and back and lead to compensation for the uneven tilt of your hips and pelvis. If it continues for a long period of time, it can cause problems with your spinal joints, spinal discs, and muscles and eventually lead to dysfunction, pain, and even degenerative issues.

So, what is the solution? Not switching your wallet from your back pocket to your front! When you sit with your wallet in the front pocket, it causes a pinch between your torso and thigh that may lead to pain. To avoid all of that unnecessary discomfort, do yourself a favor and keep your wallet out of your pockets while seated.

What’s the next step?

So you’ve agreed to stop carrying around your wallet. Here are our suggestions:

Minimalist wallet – This type of wallet simply doesn’t have the capacity to hold a bunch of stuff, so it fits easily into your shirt or jacket pocket
A traditional money clip – Keep it classic and simple.
Go without a wallet- There are some downfalls to technology (like text neck), but one perk is that you can use a variety of payments that don’t require you to carry cash or card.

Don’t let a giant wallet weigh you down. Start creating new healthy habits to relieve back pain, and remember to keep your spine healthy with regular chiropractic adjustments here at Beemer Back Center.

Thanks for reading! Let me know how it goes, Dr Cindy