Heavy Handbags Could Cause Back Pain

Feb. 10, 2007 — -- From home to the office to the gym, Americans are carrying more in their bags, purses and briefcases than ever before. But while you're trekking around with your life on your shoulder, your body is taking a beating.

Doctors say they're seeing more patients than ever who say they're feeling the effects of carrying a heavier load.

"The most common complaint is always lower back pain," said Beth Israel's Dr. Andrew Casden.

That symptom is a growing pain to a society that's gone mobile and is constantly on the move, forcing us to stay connected with gear like laptops and electronics which just add more pounds to the problem.

It's not just the size of the bag; it's that we carry more.

And it isn't just purses tipping the scales. Men tend to suffer even more not just because of what's in the bag, but because of the way they carry it.

"Men carry laptops also; they may be carrying their gym clothes," Casden said. "And the weight of their bags is usually more important, because they may not have a shoulder strap. And they may be carrying it at the end of their arm in a briefcase or some sort of bag like that, and that tends to put even more stress on the back."

So why are bags getting bigger?

"I think big bags are always going to stay in style, like denim is staying in style," said stylist Sharon Feldstein. "But there's a thing I call … the crossover, kind of like the crossover car. It's not an SUV, but it's not a tiny car. … It holds a lot of stuff and it's a little bit better for your back."

Doctors say that until Americans learn to lighten their load, the risk of long-term damage remains.