What sort of bag is best for my back?

At the end of a recent treatment session, a patient asked me what was the best type of bag to get from an osteopathic perspective.

My mouth opened and closed a few times before anything came out, followed by a few embryonic thought bubbles. Since then I have given the question some more thought in order to identify what I see as the salient issues concerning bags and backs.

1. Make sure it is fit for purpose
   If you have any specific equipment you have to carry such as a laptop, camera, etc. Someone else has already worked out some of the ergonomic issues for you, so looking at relevant task-specific bags will help you make an informed choice, even if you subsequently buy something else.
2. Make sure it is appropriate for you
   This is less easy to define as we are all unique individuals, but the sort of issues you should take into account are any specific medical or physical conditions that may be affected by carrying the bag. Beyond that, we all have certain postural tendencies and movement patterns that will be influenced by carrying (see below).
3. Carry as close to your body as possible
   This affects both your choice of bag and how you use it. The further away from your body it is, the harder a bag will be to carry, and the more it will alter your posture and movement. This means that a bag should be as flat as is practical, so that you can position the extra weight around your body rather than away from it (bags that you can fit under your arm are much easier to carry than wide bags that bash against your legs).
4. Consider where in relation to your body the extra weight will be placed
   You will automatically use your body to lean away from a bag in order to maintain balance, and then you will use your neck to restore your head to level, with your eyes looking straight ahead. The more weight you are carrying, the more exaggerated this compensatory pattern will be, and the more worthwhile considering whether a wheelie bag is more appropriate.

5. Chose a bag that allows you as many carrying options as possible
   The more variety of carrying options you have, the less you will exaggerate any one postural tendency, and the easier it will be to relieve any stains that develop in the course of everyday use. A bag with back straps, a shoulder strap and a handle gives you plenty of options for variety; a bag with a single strap may limit you to a single carrying method.
6. The way you use the bag is generally more important than what type of bag it is
   Buying a spanking new bag that you carry in the same old way probably wont make much difference to your posture, health or symptoms. By all means try to find something that suits you, but take the opportunity to increase your awareness of your habit patterns, and if eg. you always carry on one shoulder, try changing shoulders regularly; you may discover something that helps you for free.

Lastly, if it all seems too confusing you can always get in touch with us; we may be able to make some suggestions, although there is no substitute for talking face to face in a treatment session (we are located in Ealing and in Uxbridge).

nb. At the recent back show at Earl’s Court, Mathieu saw something called the healthy back bag. The company are in the process of redesigning their computer carrying bag, and have a wide range of fashionable bags; well worth a browse.