Dr. Stefano Sinicropi, M.D.

Every day we make choices about the accessories that complement our style. These choices may seem to be rooted in styles and trends, but if you’re not careful, these accessories can end up causing physical pain for your spine. In today’s blog, we take a closer look at three fashion choices we make on a regular basis that can end up leading to spine pain if you’re not careful.

Fashion Accessories And Spine Injuries

Here’s a look at three fashion accessories that can cause problems for your spine if you don’t keep your physical health in mind.

1. Your Shoes – Whether you have one or 100 pairs of shoes in your closet, you shouldn’t be picking your shoes based on looks alone. Believe it or not, how your shoe fits plays a big role in the health of your spine. Your spine is tasked with helping to disseminate stress throughout your body, and if your shoes aren’t supportive, your spine carries a heavier burden. Over time, this can lead to faster natural spinal degeneration, especially if your shoes push your spine out of a healthy alignment. High heels can be particularly bad at this, so limit your time in these shoes. Opt for comfort over fashion, or at a minimum keep comfort in mind when picking your next pair of shoes.
2. Handbags – Styles change quickly, but women still need to carry certain things with them in a handbag, so it doesn’t matter whether big or small handbags are in style, that handbag is likely full of a number of essentials that can weigh you down. If your bag is constantly draped over one shoulder, it means one side of your back is shouldering more weight than the other. Over the course of a long day shopping or years slinging your bag over the same shoulder, pain and injuries can set in. Don’t overload your bag with extra items, because the less it weighs, the less stress on your spine. Also, try to be mindful about alternating which shoulder you carry your bag on so that different muscle groups are strained and tested.
3. Cell Phone – Now, your back doesn’t really care whether you have the newest iPhone or Samsung Galaxy, but how you use this accessory can absolutely affect your spine. Now more than ever, spine specialists are seeing an uptick in cervical spine strains and degeneration, and research shows that cell phones are a likely culprit. If you’re constantly looking down at your phone in your lap, your cervical spine will be tasked with handling the weight of your skull and head. If you’re on your phone for hours a day, this stress will add up and can contribute to neck and upper spine injuries. Be mindful of your posture when using your phone, and try to limit how much time you spend looking down at your phone throughout the day, especially if your neck begins to hurt.

If you’re mindful about these three accessories, we’re confident that you’ll be able to keep back pain at bay. But if a problem begins to develop, pick up the phone and give Dr. Sinicropi’s office a call today.

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