Most of us are guilty of committing these fashion faux pas: wearing shoes that might be much more stylish than they are comfortable or practical, carrying around way too much in our handbags and backpacks, wearing pants that might be a bit too snug around the waist or latching our belts one notch smaller to cinch our waists in… Not only can these fashion crimes cause discomfort, but they can also wreak havoc on our bodies. 

At Dr. Gena Chiropractic, your favorite family chiropractor in Plantation, we frequently see patients who complain to us of back or neck issues. After thorough intake with lots of questions to understand the current health and wellness status of the patient, we often find that one of the above mentioned habits, or something similar, is an everyday part of their lifestyle. Who would have thought that our wardrobe choices could play such a large role in our body’s alignment?

Heavy handbags, backpacks and purses, or any item or accessory that hangs to one side, can affect the structural alignment of your spine. Holding your children on one side of the body is also included in this! When there is too much weight bearing on the body unevenly, it can cause the muscles to tighten on the side where the weight is, and the muscles on the opposite side to stretch. So, one side of the body will have taught, shortened muscles, while the other side has elongated, stretched muscles. You can see how this unevenness can be a problem. 

This is also an issue for men who carry a wallet in their back pocket and then sit down on it. People are creatures of habit, so it’s likely that if you do carry something in your back pocket, you carry it on the same side every time. This can lead to issues down the road. Dr. Gena and her chiropractic team recommend moving your wallet to the front pocket whenever you are sitting down, and switching to a backpack, making sure to wear both straps evenly on the back, to carry around your daily items. Fanny packs, also called belt bags, are another great option and should be very easy to find, especially since this trend has recently come back in style.

High heels can cause major issues. The high arch can change the angle of your pelvis and spine which can in turn affect your spine’s alignment and cause pain and discomfort. This shoe style, along with flip flops, are typically much less supportive for the foot than a sneaker or other comfort-focused shoe.

Any type of clothing or accessory that fits too tightly or restricts the body in any way, including specific work attire like tool belts or gun holsters, can put pressure on one side of the hip and pelvis. This can lead to a disorder known as meralgia paresthetica, which can cause tingling, numbing and/or burning pain on the outside of the thigh. 

Keep these things in mind as you shop for new clothing and get dressed for work and other activities. If you are feeling pain in your hips, back, thighs or anywhere else, do not hesitate to give our office a call to schedule an evaluation and let Dr. Gena and her team straighten things out for you, literally. Remember, your health is in your hands; our hands are here to help!