You probably wouldn't connect getting ill with what you wear, but perhaps you should. When it comes to being healthy, you probably don't give your clothes or accessories a second thought. The reality is that what you wear or carry could play a crucial role in your health, even making you ill if you continually wear the wrong items, such as a heavy backpack or bag. Clothing fit is also an important consideration for health. Clothes or accessories that are too tight can constrict blood flow, reduce your range of motion and cause discomfort.
From your head to your toes, what you put on your body on a daily basis needs to be considered for total wellness. Below are some of our recommendations for back-saving wear.
A Back Saver Wallet
Most men carry a wallet in their back pockets and in many cases it can be over a half an inch thick. Sitting on a half-inch wedge for hours at a time over a period of years is one of the most overlooked causes of spinal misalignments and spinal pain, including back pain, neck pain and even headaches. Our recommendation is to clean out your wallet and carry only what is really necessary. Ideally, switch to as thin a wallet as you can find or find one you can carry in your front pocket rather than your back pocket to avoid compromising your spine while seated.
A Healthy Backpack
Another important wellness-essential product is an ergonomically designed backpack. It is amazing how we can put thousands of pages of data onto a microchip smaller than the eye can see, yet kids are carrying backpacks that are heavier than ever filled with text books. Many schools are taking away kids’ lockers, making the problem even worse. Some kids carry backpacks with 40% of their body weight or more. You can see them walking to school leaning forward to offset the weight on their backs. Until schools figure out a way to make the loads lighter, we recommend that you get a backpack that is designed to help you stand up straighter. Look for one with shoulder straps and inflatable lumbar cushion, which when properly adjusted redistributes the weight from the shoulders and upper back into the hips, promoting a healthier upright-standing posture.
Buy Good Shoes
Most people spend close to two-thirds of their life in shoes, so wearing shoes that fit well is very important. Our feet endure tremendous pressures daily. For example, an average day of walking brings a force equal to several hundred tons on your feet. Feet are subject to more injury than any other part of the body, underscoring the need to protect them with proper shoes.
Here is a quick guide to selecting the right shoes for your feet:
Orthotics
Your feet are the base that your body stands on. If your feet are weak or have structural problems, this can lead to problems in your knees, hips and low back, and can even cause headaches.
Many people wear orthotics because they are good for their feet, but orthotics are even more important for those who experience pain after extended walking or standing.
The best orthotics are ones that are custom made for your specific feet. The measurements are taken with digital scanners to ensure that your feet, and therefore your foundation, are more firmly supported.
Please note that the orthotics and insoles that you buy at your drug store are not the same as the high-quality orthotics that you can have custom made, even though they look similar. Insoles may effectively reduce pressure by increasing the padding under your feet, but orthotics are customized and provide a foot-bed that is molded specifically for each of your feet based on their unique shape and size. Customized orthotics are also a worthy investment. Consult your health care practitioner about whether or not you should consider custom orthotics.
Contributed by Dr. Erika Hamer, DC, DIBCN, DIBE, Board Certified Chiropractic Neurologist and owner of Ponte Vedra Wellness Center with offices in Ponte Vedra Beach and Nocatee Town Center.
