Pace Paw Print

Media Credit: Michelle Callender Students Leah Nelson (left) and Jennifer Lewis (right) carrying their ten pound bags

On a good day, freshman student Samantha Sullivan carries approximately nine pounds on one shoulder. If this doesn't sound like much, imagine holding the average weight of a newborn on your shoulder.

Purses were initially made to hold coins, but now it seems as if wearers are managing to fit all of their belongings in it as the size of purses grows.

Sullivan's nine pound bag contained more items that an individual would probably not think necessary. "I don't even know what's in here anymore," she laughed as she unpacked her belongings. "It's really bad."

Enclosed in the bag was a makeup kit, notebook, digital camera, mini IPOD speaker, house keys, eight ounce tube of lotion, Kleenex tissues, an iPod, medicine, gum, notepad with a mini map of the city, cough drops, cell phone, wallet, one ounce bottle of perfume, and other personal items.

When Sullivan attends class, small books are usually thrown into her pocketbook as well, depending on "how many fit," meaning that at times more weight is carried on her shoulders.

Another student, Bernice Kyereme, said that her big fashion bag gave her terrible neck and shoulder pains. With big textbooks, this alone can average to well over 15 pounds.

However, she refuses to wear a backpack, simply because it is not "cute."

Surprisingly, there are many other girls carrying bags filled with useless items and heavy books which weigh over ten pounds. Similarly, other students, including males, wear backpacks on only one shoulder.

Unfortunately, those wearing backpacks and heavy pocketbooks on one shoulder are complaining of more neck, shoulder, and back pain, like Kyereme. These complaints have become so popular that "chiropractors, medical doctors, and therapists" are specifically treating women who have injured themselves from heavy pocketbooks.

Treatment for these patients includes teaching how to stand in a more upright position and strengthening the muscles.

Those who do seek treatment usually find other alternate accessories while others continue to wear these heavy bags, primarily because the bags are more convenient and practical as they can fit many items.

However, doctors warn that "heavy handbags can lead to long-term medical issues like posture problems and damage to spinal cord tissue." In addition, individuals tend to lean to the opposite side to make up for the extra weight on the shoulder.

If an individual decides to wear these heavy bags, a few things have been suggested by American Chiropractic Association.

Firstly, a pocketbook should weigh "less than ten percent" of an individual's body weight. So if one weighs 120 pounds, their pocketbook should weigh no more than 12 pounds. And even this number is quite large.

Next, do not wear the bag on the same shoulder every day-alternate shoulders. This helps balance out the extra weight. If possible, wear the bag like a sling across the body to evenly distribute the weight.

Some people may not realize, but these bags are heavy even by themselves. Therefore, when choosing a bag, go for a lighter one if multiple books and other items are going to be added.

In addition, clean out pocketbooks. Like Sullivan, a lot of items tend to accumulate because it is easier to throw things in. In due time, individual's pocketbooks are filled with miscellaneous items that aren't necessary.

It is always best to go the safest route. Eliminate the big bag fashion craze. However, if that is not realistic for some, alternatives should be found, such as those mentioned above.

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