For many people, the back pocket has become the default location for storing their wallets. It’s a convenient spot, easily accessible and seemingly secure, without the need for an extra bag. However, this common practice comes with its own set of drawbacks and potential risks – some you may not have considered. The team at Vitality Precision Chiropractic wants you to be aware that this seemingly innocuous habit can cause long-term issues.
It’s Not Secure
Placing your wallet in your back pocket makes it more vulnerable to theft. Pickpockets are adept at targeting back pockets, as they are easily accessible and provide an opportunity for swift and discreet theft. By opting for a different storage location, such as a front pocket or a bag with added security measures, you can reduce the risk of falling victim to such theft.
It’s Not Comfortable
Storing your wallet in your back pocket can lead to discomfort in the short term and potential health issues in the long term. Sitting on a bulky wallet for extended periods can cause misalignment of the spine and contribute to back pain. The added pressure on the sciatic nerve can even lead to conditions like sciatica, which causes pain, tingling, and numbness in the lower back and legs. A Rochester Hills chiropractor can help address these issues by providing adjustments and therapeutic treatments that realign the spine, alleviate pressure on nerves, and relieve discomfort caused by storing a wallet in the back pocket.
It Can Impact Your Spinal Health
Having your wallet in your back pocket can lead to imbalances in posture and weight distribution. This imbalance can affect the natural alignment of the spine and lead to various musculoskeletal issues. Rochester Hills chiropractors specialize in assessing and correcting posture and spinal misalignments. Through adjustments and rehabilitative exercises, chiropractors like Dr. Thomas Madigan and Dr. Brendan Shanahan can help restore balance, improve posture, and promote overall spinal health. By seeking regular chiropractic care, individuals can counteract the negative effects of storing a wallet in the back pocket and maintaining optimal spinal alignment.
While the back pocket may seem like a convenient place to keep your wallet, it comes with several drawbacks and risks. Chiropractors can play a crucial role in addressing these issues by providing treatments that alleviate discomfort, offering advice on theft prevention and body awareness, and promoting proper posture and spinal health. By exploring alternative storage options and seeking chiropractic care, individuals can ensure the safety of their wallets and enjoy improved overall well-being. So, next time you reach for your wallet, consider the advice of Vitality Precision Chiropractic and choose a better place to store it – and if you are experiencing any negative impact, contact us today for your first appointment.
FAQs
Sitting on a bulky wallet for extended periods can cause misalignment of the spine and contribute to back pain. The added pressure on the sciatic nerve can even lead to conditions like sciatica, which causes pain, tingling, and numbness in the lower back and legs.
Why shouldn't we keep our wallet in the back pocket? ›
But even though most men do this, it is not a good thing! A wallet in your back pocket hurts your posture and can cause back, neck and shoulder pain. This is because a wallet in the back pocket causes uneven pressure on the spine. When sitting, the pelvic and the hips are the foundation for the rest of the upper body.
What are the effects of sitting with your wallet in your back pocket on the musculoskeletal system? ›
This hunch-like position puts more stress on the back and spine and can even cause a slouchy posture with slumped shoulders. Muscles work harder to compensate, and joints become stiff and achy. Sitting on a wallet or carrying a shoulder bag can also affect the nerves of our body.
What could be a problem in putting your wallet on your back trouser pocket? ›
A Wallet or Phone Can Shift Your Seated Posture
This may cause pain directly in your buttocks area, radiating pain down your sciatic nerve, or even pain throughout your back. The reasoning behind this is the fact the lower back, spine, and neck are all connected in one way or another.
Can sitting on your wallet cause back problems? ›
Bad posture cause by your wallet can make your back tight and achy, but it can also lead to sciatica If the sciatic nerve gets pinched between the wallet and your hip, you may experience sciatic nerve pain, or sciatica, which can cause aches and tingling all the way down your leg.
Is putting your wallet in your back pocket bad? ›
Storing your wallet in your back pocket can lead to discomfort in the short term and potential health issues in the long term. Sitting on a bulky wallet for extended periods can cause misalignment of the spine and contribute to back pain.
Should I keep wallet in front or back pocket? ›
Carrying your wallet in your front pocket prevents sciatica and back pain that can arise from sitting on your wallet, makes you less attractive as a victim of pick-pocketing, and gets rid of the unattractive “wallet bulge” that a big back pocket wallet can cause.
Can sitting on your wallet cause scoliosis? ›
When you sit on your wallet you create an uneven surface that our body must compensate for by creating a functional scoliosis, which in turn puts stress on spinal joints, nerve roots, muscles and ligaments and may lead to back pain, fatigue, trigger points and more.
Can bad posture damage organs? ›
When you slouch, you compress your abdominal organs, including your digestive tract. Doing this can over time, negatively impact your metabolism and your ability to process foods properly, potentially resulting in a nutritional deficiency.
Can sitting on a wallet cause knee pain? ›
These may be habits most people do not think would be causing harm to the body, but indeed they can be causing a variety of symptoms including low back pain, hip pain, and knee pain. These symptoms are associated with “Fat Wallet Syndrome”!
The most prevailing reason for keeping a wallet in the back is that the front is too small. In both men's and women's pants nowadays, the front pockets are shrinking or flat-out disappearing. While we can't do anything regarding false or disappeared pockets, we can help with small ones.
Is it safe to carry an iPhone in the back pocket? ›
Some experts say you should keep your smartphone as far away from your body as possible — as often as possible — to reduce potential risks, while others say you don't need to worry. Hatch, who studied this exact question — whether keeping a cellphone in a pocket harms male fertility — isn't terribly concerned.
Why shouldn't you carry anything in your pockets? ›
Back pockets, especially those in pants, are easier targets for pickpockets. Thieves can discreetly reach into back pockets without being noticed, putting your money at risk.
What is wallet syndrome of the spine? ›
While using a thick wallet, posture of pelvis, dorso-lumbar spine gets compromised, mounting pressure on pelvic muscles, inter-vertebral discs, nerve roots, and nerves unevenly [2].
Can wallet in back pocket cause hip pain? ›
Sitting on your wallet can cause serious pain in your back, hip and even leg. The problem is twofold: Not only does sitting with a wallet in your pocket pinch your sciatic nerve, it also causes your pelvis and spine to position in a way that isn't straight or natural.
What is the wallet syndrome? ›
What is the fat wallet syndrome? Fat wallet syndrome, is a neuromuscular condition, where the wallet is compressing the sciatic nerve and the piriformis muscle. Over the last couple of decades, wallets have progressively become bigger.
In which pocket should I keep my wallet? ›
Overall, you should put your wallet in your front pocket as this will better safeguard you against theft. Additionally, our research indicates that it's more comfortable when walking and sitting down.
Where is the safest place to keep your wallet? ›
When figuring out where to keep your wallet, the age-old debate of opting for the front or back pocket often arises. This choice isn't just about comfort or style, but also about security and health. Overall, it's safer to keep your wallet in your front pocket.
