How to properly carry heavy grocery bags to avoid back pain. The doctor told me

How to properly carry heavy grocery bags to avoid back pain. The doctor told me

Many people are used to holding packages in one hand, but what can this habit do to their health?

leading trauma podiatrist, podiatrist (foot specialist)

“Many people refuse to buy bags in the supermarket, thinking that in this way they reduce pollution and save money. However, it is not obvious that you are saving money on your health. So, the correct answer at the checkout when the clerk asks you if you need bags is “Give me two”.

Why weights should be distributed evenly

When a person goes home with his shopping, he carries the bag mostly in one hand. This increases the load on one side, which can lead to changes in the body. The body has to adjust to the extra gravity while adapting the entire system. The shoulder on the side of the load is lowered, which means the leg on that side will be slightly higher to maintain a centered body position.

In doing so, the level spinal column changes, becoming C or S-shaped. It is this lateral shift that is called scoliosis. The spinal muscles are also forced to adapt to this position and become overstretched or spasmed on each side.

The complex of changes can cause discomfort and pain not only in the spinal area, but also, for example, “shoot” to other areas, depending on which nerves are traumatized.

We have focused on the spine, but imbalances due to changes in gait biomechanics affect the lower extremities as well. There’s extra load on the more loaded leg, which means every step is potentially a risk factor for developing foot, knee and hip pain. It’s hard to imagine, but changing your body position will affect your entire musculoskeletal system.

What are the risks?

Here is just a partial list of the violation of symmetrical shock load on the body:

• muscle spasms and pain in the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine;
• curvature of the spinal column itself;
• gait disturbance;
• discomfort;
• “shooting pains” and pain in the leg area;
• foot deformities and heel spurs.

How to avoid the consequences

In order to avoid negative effects on the body, you should place weights evenly in both hands. This will allow the load to be distributed symmetrically, which means that the body will cope with it more easily than when only one side is involved.

For example, instead of one 7 kg bag, choose two bags and try to distribute the food so that each bag contains 3.5 kg.

If the first symptoms of discomfort and pain appear in the body, it is recommended to seek help from a doctor and get more detailed advice from a specialist.