Think Twice about Some of your Fashion Choices

Some of you may have seen the story on WVLT on Thursday that talked about women’s fashion choices leading to back pain. A study by the British Chiropractic Association (BCA) found that 73 percent of women have suffered from back pain, and more than 28 percent of them are aware that their clothing affects their back or neck pain and their posture.I was fortunate enough to be interviewed for this story, and as I mentioned I see women every day who come in with low back pain and they are wearing heels. Think about what is natural for our bodies, heels are not natural. Wearing them too often leads to the shortening and tightness of the calf muscles, which then leads to back pain. This time of year, women start to wear sandals and men bring out the flip flops. You’ve probably read this blog enough to know that supportive shoes are a common subject. Neither sandals nor flip flops offer the support our feet need, and our feet are the foundation of our bodies.The BCA study found that the top fashion threats are:1. Skinny jeans2. Oversized bags and those worn on one side of the body3. Coats with large fluffy hoods4. High heeled shoes5. Backless and other non-supportive shoesThe study also found that heavy earrings and necklaces can put pressure on the neck. But don’t fret ladies. As with everything, moderation is key; and if you are in good shape your fashion choices (in moderation) won’t ruin you.Here are a few tips:• Variation is key: Wearing similar pieces of clothing every day could trigger back pain, by regularly restricting certain parts of your body from moving freely. Shift the pressure on these areas by varying the styles of clothes you wear.• Keep it loose: Tighter clothes restrict your body from moving freely so looser clothing, such as baggy trousers, maxi skirts, or straight leg jeans, are a good choice.• Put the bag down: Heavy handbags are a particularly common cause of back pain in women. Pay attention to the bag you carry around and regularly check for and empty your bag of unnecessary items. Avoid bags that you carry in the crook of your arm, as the weight of these held away from your body pulls one shoulder lower than the other, twisting your neck and spine. If your bag has one strap, alternate the shoulder you carry it on.• Put your best foot forward: High heels force you to hold your body in a position that promotes tension in your spine so, if you wear high heels, counteract any potential damage by wearing shoes with a lower heel from time-to-time and keep your calf muscles stretched.