Fat Wallet-Purse

Fat Wallets and Heavy Purses are an accessory to back pain!
WOMEN
Carrying a heavy purse can lead to lower
back pain and hinder your posture. Large
handbags are definitely a style that is not
going away. Ask yourself, “Do I really need
this in here?” before throwing one
more item into your bag. This
may help reduce the
unnecessary clutter
that fills your purse.
MEN
Sitting on a thick wallet full of pictures,
credit cards and money can place
pressure on the sciatic nerve which leads to
back pain. If you are experiencing
continued back pain, try
removing your wallet
from your back
pocket or carry less
items.
Health and wellness tips for your work, home, and life—
brought to you by the insurance and healthcare specialists at
JRG Advisors, LLC and ChamberChoice.
Breaking Your Back? Part 1
Understand the causes of your back pain
Back pain can range from a
dull, constant ache to a
sudden, sharp pain that

causes incapacitation. It can
come on suddenly – from an
accident, a fall, or lifting

something too heavy – or it
can develop slowly, perhaps
as the result of age-related
changes to the spine.
Risk Factors and Causes
Anyone can experience back
pain. There are risk factors
that can increase the chances
of developing episodes of
acute or chronic back pain:
 Age – Back pain becomes
more common with age.
 Fitness level – Back pain is
more common among people
who are not physically fit, as
weak back and abdominal
muscles may not properly
support the spine.
Additionally, “weekend
warriors” – people who go
out and exercise a lot after
being inactive all week – are
more likely to suffer painful
back injuries than people
who make moderate physical
activity a daily habit.
 Diet – A diet high in calories
and fat, combined with an


inactive lifestyle, can lead to
obesity, which puts
additional stress on the back.
Heredity – Some causes of
back pain, including disc
disease, may have a genetic
component.
Race – Race can be a factor
in back problems. AfricanAmerican women, for
example, are more likely to
develop spondylolisthesis, a
condition in which a vertebra
of the lower spine – also
called the lumbar spine –
slips out of place.
Disease – Many diseases can
cause or contribute to back
pain, including various forms
of arthritis and cancer
elsewhere in the body that
may spread to the spine.
Occupation – Having a job
that requires heavy lifting,
pushing or pulling –
particularly when involving
twisting or vibrating the
spine – can lead to injury
and back pain. An inactive
job or a desk job may also
lead to or contribute to pain,
especially with poor posture
or having to sit all day in an
uncomfortable chair.
 Smoking – Smoking can lead
to back pain by blocking the
body’s ability to deliver
nutrients to the discs of the
lower back, as well as by
straining muscles caused by
repeated coughing
associated with heavy
smoking. In addition,
smoking slows healing and
prolongs pain for people who
have had a back injury, back
surgery or broken bones.
Understanding the causes
associated with the
development of back pain are
the first steps to its prevention
and effective treatment.
Did you know…?
According to the American Chiropractic Association, 50% of all
working Americans experience back pain each year, and experts
estimate that at least 80% of Americans will have a back problem
at some point in their lives.
This brochure is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. For further information, please consult a medical professional.
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