For the past few weeks I've been going to a chiropractor to start working to strengthen and restoring my spine. My body's “oil light” is going on and I finally decided to pay attention to it. (Alert: Personal medical history through end of paragraph.) I was born with a clubfoot and went through three surgeries and a couple of braces up through high school in an effort to fix it. I've been doing okay — I can walk easily and the compensation for the smaller foot isn't too serious from day to day — but after over thirty years of walking that way it's taking its toll. That, and I work at a computer for most of the day, so my neck is in semi-rough shape too.
Anyway, one thing I've learned (among many) is that there are many problems related to poor spine health, and that these problems are not the result of one catastrophic event (“I threw my back out”), but instead the result of the daily habits that place constant force on your spine. These forces slowly, but surely, deform your spine, and lead to problems. In other words, I've been throwing my back out for years, or decades.
In my appointment this morning, “Dr. Shawn” was doing an adjustment on my lower back. Before he started, he said, “Wow, I'm surprised I didn't catch that before. Sitting on your wallet is a big no-no.” After he said that and I thought about it, it makes perfect sense. Putting an object in your back pocket raises that side a little bit. If you're sitting up straight in the chair (as you need to do if you don't want to fall over) your body is compensating for the imbalance constantly. Over time, your body learns to deal with it by twisting itself out of alignment, which is not a good thing because it leads to other problems.
I'm not convinced that sitting on my wallet for years is the cause of all of my spine's problems, but I can't imagine that it helped them. The fix is to put your wallet in your front pocket.
(If you live in the northern neck of VA and would like a discounted initial visit to see Dr. Shawn, let me know. If you're in a different area, I'll get back to you and see which ones he recommends on my next visit.)
Hm. My neck has been feeling funny. Is he a chiropractor?
I have lousy posture, but after a friend of mine gave herself siatica before we went on a backpacking trip, I stopped putting my wallet in my back pocket. She had been doing a lot of driving that summer (3K+) and sitting on her wallet the whole time jacked up her spine.
I often stand up in my cube and stretch my spine out just by raising my fingertips as high as they will go, and standing on my tippy toes. Doing that a few times 'resets' my spine. Plus it gets the blood circulating at work.
Your health is one thing that money can't buy, so it's worth it to invest in it with preventive care. (Still feeling bruised over my denied dental claim this year.)
I wish I took care of spine better. I have pinched nerve, and a chronic pain problem now. While I hurt my back via some acute injury playing soccer, i have no doubt sitting my wallet didn't help. Since then I've gotten into the habit of putting my wallet in my front pocket which is better from pickpocket perspective as well. I never sit on my wallet now, and my back is somewhat better. Also I advice stretching. Part of my problem I know is because I have incredibly tight hamstrings…
Hello!
Hmm…I can never understand why some people choose to stash their wallet in their back pocket. Not only does it protrude, but it's an easy target for pickpockets.
-Raymond
I keep a very small wallet (it holds about 6 drivers license size cards) and a money clip. They always go in my front pocket. I can't stand having anything in my back pocket, and haven't for years.
This was a Seinfeld episode with George having a huge wallet giving him back problems.
I'm not really sure how you sit down with a wallet in the front pocket. I'm just going to tape it to my chest for now on.
Banknotes in your wallet with a few credit cards is not to bad, but lots of coins making your wallet three times as big as it should be is so annoying.
I put all my coins in a draw, and only spend them on parking meters, take away food and small purchases at the local market.
Two thoughts:
1) I totally agree with the wallet-in-back-pocket being something to watch for idea. Both my husband and my grandfather went through that discovery.
2) On the subject of chiropractors – it sounds like you have someone you're really comfortable with, but as a general tip, please don't let chiropractors manipulate your neck. It can be very dangerous.
I had similar back problems for several years and didn't do anything about it. Then I read a blog post about an ultra-thin wallet. I bought one online, and all back pain has been gone for a year. Seriously! I was sitting on 20+ cards plus paper money for years. The new wallet takes getting used to…it's parachute-type material, looks kinda plasticky and cheap, but it does the job and actually holds more than my old leather clunker. I highly recommend it…brand name is All-ett. These days I often have to touch my rear=end (no comments!) to make sure I have my wallet with me.
Thanks for all of the comments everyone!
Ron, I just ordered one. They look good!
E, I guess you've had some bad experiences with neck injury or know someone who has? The top vertebrae are straight in my neck (they shouldn't be). The chiropractor uses a machine called the ProAdjuster that taps the vertebrae back into place (over many visits). They did manipulate my neck once and my range of motion has gotten much better. But anyway, yes I can see that things can go bad.
Not money-related at all, but taking lessons in Alexander Technique can help you use your spine properly and will take care of many back/neck/knee problems.
The fix is to… put a wallet in each of your back pockets.
😉
H Lee D and MBHunter,
I've done chiropractic and Alexander Technique and I've found both to be extremely beneficial. Alexander is wonderful for learning to use your body in the most efficient manner and Chiropractic can help to facilitate fixing chronic major problems. One major problem is insurance will not cover Alexander, unfortunately. It can be a bit pricey. But, the lessons lead me to higher functioning and greater ease in movement in my body. Sorry, not money related!!