Do you carry a heavy bag? It can harm your shoulders and spine

Bags, big and small. Bags for school goers, officer goers and party hoppers. Bags for your laptop.

Indeed, bags have become such a part and parcel of our modern day life that a friend was pointing out the other day that her pre-schooler too carries one to her friends’ birthday parties. But the focus of this write-up is not what types are available in the market and for whom.

It is about what harm bags can do to our shoulders, neck and spine. To get the right answer, you need to ask yourself the right questions, like, how heavy is my office bag? Does my child complain her schoolbag is too bulky? Is my laptop bag weighty too?

If yes, then better shed the weight. For a weighty bag can put a lot of strain on your shoulders, causing a dull, nagging pain which will gradually spread to your neck and then to your lower back. If the pain aggravates a lot, it might make you immobile for some time.

Dr. Suneel Kumar, head of the department, BLK Memorial Hospital, Delhi, cautions, “Ignoring the problem can cause serious complications such as chronic pain in the future.” Dr. Kumar says he now often comes across patients with shoulder and spine ache.

“After questioning about their lifestyle I find that they are mostly sedentary workers, most of whom also regularly carry heavy laptop bags. Carrying a laptop bag on one side makes an unnatural position which leads to many health hazards. Instead, I suggest carrying wheeled bags.”

For school children, he suggests a rucksack rather than a sling bag. “A rucksack evenly distributes the weight. But having said this, I would like to add that the rucksacks should not be too heavy either.”

The symptoms

The common symptoms of problems caused by heavy bags are fatigue, pain in the shoulder, neck area and in the lower back. “Office goers should keep shifting their bags from one shoulder to another. This will help distribute the weight on both the shoulders,” he adds.

For those willing to make that important change in lifestyle, here are a few pointers:

Consider using a bag with wheels or a two-strap backpack, particularly for longer distances.

Keep shifting the bag from one shoulder to another to distribute the weight evenly.

Get the lightest laptop bag if you have to carry it on your shoulder for long.

School children should try to lessen the pressure on their shoulders and back by carrying lighter bags. They can discuss with class teachers to keep some books at the school.

Remain physically active. It strengthens your muscles