Don't hold your bag like this!
A woman’s handbag contains everything she needs along with all the things that she might need. All these things come together as a miniature ‘general store’ that is carried in bags. The burden of this entire general store falls on a single shoulder and not even two. But it is to note that, a research done by the American Chiropractic Association, one’s bag should not weigh more than 10 percent of one’s body weight, and should also not be carried on one side.
“Carrying a handbag on one shoulder disrupts the symmetry of the body,” says expert
Highlighting the effect of carrying a bag on one shoulder Juhi Kapoor, a yoga expert shared an Instagram post. She wrote, “As a woman, carrying a bag on the shoulder is the most common habit. But this really disrupts symmetry. We don’t even realize how much we tend to tighten one shoulder to ensure the loop of the bag doesn’t slip. Unknowingly, we create imbalance and cause postural problems in the future.”
She added that while it may seem like a simple thing, “it has a long-term impact — holding your purse on one shoulder for a longer duration.” Kapoor further explained that this poor symmetry may cause neck, shoulder, and even upper back pain.
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Yoga is about the postures you maintain
The yoga expert further explains, “Yoga is not just the asanas you do on the mat. Yoga is also about the posture you maintain in your routine.” She suggested holding the bag over the forearm or in your hands. As an alternative, it is advised to keep your bag’s weight under control, frequently switch which side you hold it on, and use a bag with a wider strap to distribute the weight more evenly.
Carrying a backpack is better
According to Dr. Sanjay Desai, Arthroscopy & Joint Replacement Surgeon, Bhatia Hospital, Mumbai, “If the bag is heavy, it may fatigue the muscle of the shoulder you are carrying it on. It is recommended to carry a cross-body bag for lighter weight. For heavier weight, it would be ideal to carry a backpack (which mountaineers carry).”
However, the expert recommended against carrying the bag on the forearm because forearm muscles are not designed and equipped to carry weight for a prolonged amount of time. “If you do so, the muscles will get fatigued,” he added.
Agreeing with this, Dr. Gururaj Sangondimath, Sr. Consultant and Unit Head, Department of Spine Surgery, Indian Spinal Injuries Center, New Delhi said,” It is only advisable to hold a lightweight bag on your forearm for a limited amount of time. Otherwise, it is advisable to carry a cross-body bag or hold the bag in your hand.”
