Do you have shoulder pain, neck pain and lower back pain? In my practice in Englewood, NJ, I've had many female patients complain of chronic shoulder pain that is usually worse on one side. My first question is always, "do you carry a purse on that side of your shoulder?" The response is usually, "yes."
A key piece of advice I like to tell women (if they can't get rid of their heavy purse habit) is to switch shoulders frequently, so that one shoulder is not always bearing the weight. I have seen many women in their 40s and 50s with extremely uneven shoulders from carrying a heavy purse for 25+ years; upon palpation, the muscles in their shoulders and backs are frequently tight, knotted, and overly developed on one side.
I have worked in a variety of wellness centers, medical offices, and clinics for almost 10 years and the number of women who suffer from shoulder, neck, and back pain can definitely be significantly reduced if they choose to lighten up their handbags. I have provided a couple of helpful articles below for more information:
1. Oprah: Is Your Handbag Killing You?
2. How to Lighten a Heavy Purse.
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