What is Causing Your Chronic Pain in Frederick MD?

What is causing your chronic pain? Turns out it could be your clothing. A number of chronic issues can be traced back to the use of these three items of clothing.

Wallet
The most universally common reason behind back pain in men, is the habit of sitting on a wallet in their back pocket. When you sit on a wallet for an extended period of time (such as driving, working, etc), it forces the pelvis out of position and alters the posture of the lower spine. It leads to increased pressure in the Gluteal and Sciatic nerve location. Because this is so common in men, it goes unnoticed or focused on as the cause of back pain and nerve compression. The healthiest option is to take out the wallet from your back pocket before you sit down, or make a habit of keeping your wallet to your front pocket. It is suggested to not only avoid \"wallet sitting\", but it is recommended to keep your back pockets empty of any items while sitting.

Purse
Heavy purse carrying can lead to back and shoulder pain. Tension type headaches can also also be triggered by muscle irritation from carrying a heavy bag. To avoid any irritation, your purse or bag should weigh no more than 10 percent of your body weight. To limit the weight of your purse, divide contents by activity instead of carrying one big tote. So carry just what you need for the gym in one back and your daily essentials in another. Switching shoulders every block helps avoid prolonged strain and postural compensation. Make sure to purchase a purse with thick straps that can distribute the weight evenly. Thin straps can cut into the musculature and can also cause nerve compression.

Heavy bags can even cause headaches, says Karen Erickson, DC, a chiropractor in New York City and spokeswoman for the American Chiropractic Association. \"People come in thinking they have migraines and it\'s actually a bad bag,\" she says. Too much pressure on the trapezius muscle in the shoulder, which goes up the back of the neck to the skull, Dr. Erickson explains, can cause severe muscular tension headaches.

You\'ll want to switch sides every block or two that you walk, says Erickson. \"Most of us have a side and we do it for 20 years, 30 years and the reason is that it\'s comfortable,\" she says. But it helps to get in the habit of switching sides.

• A bag should weigh no more than 10 percent of your body weight, according to the American Chiropractic Association. Lugging more than that on one side of your body can lead to back and shoulder pain.

Heavy bags can even cause headaches, says Karen Erickson, DC, a chiropractor in New York City and spokeswoman for the American Chiropractic Association. \"People come in thinking they have migraines and it\'s actually a bad bag,\" she says. Too much pressure on the trapezius muscle in the shoulder, which goes up the back of the neck to the skull, Dr. Erickson explains, can cause severe muscular tension headaches.

You\'ll want to switch sides every block or two that you walk, says Erickson. \"Most of us have a side and we do it for 20 years, 30 years and the reason is that it\'s comfortable,\" she says. But it helps to get in the habit of switching sides.

High Heels
One in 10 women wear high heels at least 3 days a week. Statistics show that high heels are one of the biggest factors leading to foot problems in women. When worn for a long time it causes your toes to be continually bent and in an unnatural position. Over cramming of the toes causes distributing your weight incorrectly and leads to nerve damage and bunions. High heels have also been linked to osteoarthritis of the knee, plantar fasciitis and low back pain. The increased weight on your toes causes your body to tilt forward, and to compensate, you lean backwards and overarch your back, creating a posture that can strain your knees, hips, and lower back. Over time, wearing high heels can shorten the muscles in your calves and in your back, leading to pain and muscle spasms. To avoid these conditions without avoiding high heel wear altogether, alternate your shoe choice throughout the day or from one day to the next. Also limit the amount of time walking and standing on the days that you wear heels.

Learn other common causes of pain from Valley Chiropractic, in Frederick Maryland.