Massage and Movement

Especially in NYC, when your bag, is, often literally, your trunk--what bag do we wear?

  Sometimes a backpack will do--the equal force of weight coming down through the body, ensured by the straps being on either shoulder, can make it the more comfortable choice. But a backpack is cumbersome, especially if one has a big coat on. It is difficult to reach wallet and metro card when doing errands and public transporting. Also, it makes you sweat!

Then there are courier wear/biker bags. These bags are easy to wear, easy to gain access to, and its nice to be able to shift them around to different positions. I've used one of these on and off since 1998, but if I wear it across my body, as it is meant to be worn, I usually get sciatica, or some other kind of back pain, or shoulder ache. It's asymmetrical wear, means your muscles and other tissues will respond asymmetrically. Your whole alignment (level of hip etc) will respond in an unbalanced way. Depending on who you are, this may not matter so much in the moment. But my body responds fairly quickly with signals of pain.

Purses. Well, I vary them. I try to shift from one shoulder to the other. And I always recommend shortening the strap as much as possible. With a shorter strap, you can hold it against your torso with your upper arm, which makes it pull against your shoulder and neck less. Also, a shorter strap makes it easier to carry in your hand, which is often the healthiest position-because there is then hardly any strain on the shoulder girdle. But inevitably, there is too much weight in that darn bag, and aches and pains ensue.

What is the solution? Is there a bag that is comfortable for alignment sensitivities?

Often I have clients that come in with shoulder/torso pain that we are able to directly connect to the bag they use, and how they use it. Sometimes, miraculously, changing this daily use, takes care of all of the pain (!).

Next I will try one of those Mountainsmith bags that you can clip around the waist. But it might be hard to wear over a winter jacket.

What other options are there--have you found the magic bag? Please share!