Optimal function of the body generally narrows down to one key point – Balance. If your body is not in balance, you are at risk of injury. One common problem that causes an imbalance, especially in men, is carrying and sitting on your wallet in the back pocket. More often than not these days, wallets tend to be quite bulky with all of the cards we need to carry. So why is sitting on a wallet in your back pocket a bad thing? Continue reading to find out.
If you are a Seinfeld fan you may be aware of the episode called "The reverse peephole" where George had back pain from carrying his massive wallet in his back pocket. You can watch it above, it is quite funny. The wallet causing back problems was apparently first described in a brief article in The New England Journal of Medicine in 1966, when credit cards started to become more popular. At this time it was often referred to as “credit-carditis”. Luckily, that name never took hold. More recently I have heard of hip-pocket syndrome or wallet-neuropathy from carrying a wallet in the back pocket. Whatever you want to call it, the cause of it and the fix are simple.
The CAUSE
Carrying a wallet in your back pocket when sitting is like sitting on a wedge or a block. This causes an un-natural tilt of the pelvis affecting the mechanics of the spine which can lead to lower back pain, mid back pain and even neck pain. Often the wallet can put pressure on nerves in the pelvis and can cause sciatica type symptoms (pain down the leg). The wallet doesn't even need to be thick, a slim wallet can still cause problems.
The FIX
When someone has back pain it is easy to focus on the symptoms. Pain relief or massage may help, but it is important to ask yourself, why is this happening? Is there something that you are doing that is causing the problem? Often, the answers are simple. If some of your pain is being caused by simply carrying your wallet in the back pocket, then this is an easy fix. Take the wallet out of your back pocket when sitting and help create the balance your body needs. If you are having ongoing back problems make sure you get it assessed by a professional. There can be other causes of back and pelvic pain.
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The CAUSE
Carrying a wallet in your back pocket when sitting is like sitting on a wedge or a block. This causes an un-natural tilt of the pelvis affecting the mechanics of the spine which can lead to lower back pain, mid back pain and even neck pain. Often the wallet can put pressure on nerves in the pelvis and can cause sciatica type symptoms (pain down the leg). The wallet doesn't even need to be thick, a slim wallet can still cause problems.
The FIX
When someone has back pain it is easy to focus on the symptoms. Pain relief or massage may help, but it is important to ask yourself, why is this happening? Is there something that you are doing that is causing the problem? Often, the answers are simple. If some of your pain is being caused by simply carrying your wallet in the back pocket, then this is an easy fix. Take the wallet out of your back pocket when sitting and help create the balance your body needs. If you are having ongoing back problems make sure you get it assessed by a professional. There can be other causes of back and pelvic pain.
If you like the content of this blog post please hit the like button below.
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