Swapping a shoulder bag for a backpack is better for your spine, according to a chiropractor, though it is not a guaranteed fix. The advice comes as 73% of Brits report struggling with back pain on a daily basis.
Why shoulder bags can cause discomfort
Chiropractor Andrew Nurcombe-Thorne says using a bag with a single shoulder strap can cause the shoulder on that side to elevate and may lead to unconsciously laterally flexing the upper body away from that side. While doing this for short periods, such as five or ten minutes once or twice a day, shouldn't be too problematic, regularly doing it for an hour or so can lead to muscular fatigue and discomfort.
This is particularly relevant for anyone whose bag weighs more than 10% of their body weight. Carrying a heavy shoulder bag could also prompt tingling, numbness, or weakness in the arm due to nerve compression.
How to wear a backpack properly
If you do decide to make the switch, Nurcombe-Thorne advises keeping the straps well fitted and the weight of the pack as close to your spine as possible. If not, the uneven distribution could similarly lead to muscle strain and spinal alignment problems.
TikToker Chantelle Louise has dubbed the switch to a backpack 'the highest form of self-respect that a woman can have for herself'. Dozens of women in the comment section agreed that the difficult yet necessary switch was a total 'game changer'. Chantelle recently told her TikTok followers she's not quite 'there yet', but she's preparing to make the leap. 'It's 8:00am and my bag is literally filled to the brim,' she shared. 'I'm in so much pain, but at this point I'm purely optimising aesthetics over spinal alignment.'
Fashion concerns remain
Some women admit the practical choice is hard to embrace. Metro reader Jessica Corrigan, 27, said she feels like 'a little loser' when wearing one, adding it gives her 'some nasty flashbacks from lugging one around at school'. Bethan Sandall, 26, feels similarly: 'Wearing one to work would make me feel like I'm back at school.' TikTok commenter @GBTSXO shared that she thinks wearing a backpack can 'ruin an outfit', while @catracha_0 commented on another pro-backpack video, 'I'm in enemy territory'.
Metro's own lifestyle reporter, Eleanor Noyce, 28, has scoliosis, meaning using a tote or shoulder bag on a daily basis has always been a no-go. 'My main work bag is a burgundy Fjallraven Kanken,' she told Metro. 'I'm fully aware of the allegations that it's not fashionable to wear a backpack, but I'm not bothered by these claims. It's so much better for my back, and is a good way to flash the cute keychain I got when I was in Japan. Long may it continue.'
In 2024, the British Chiropractic Association conducted a study to assess how badly back pain was impacting Brits. The findings revealed that almost a quarter (22%) of British people have taken up to five months off work due to their bone and joint pain, and over half (52%) have lived with bone and joint pain for longer than 12 months.
