Big Bags should cause Red Flags.

I know. You are wondering, "When is this guy going to start talking about feet and ankles again." Well believe it or not... I am.
I mentioned earlier that the old nursery rhyme, "the foot bone is connected to the ankle bone, is connected to the knee bone, is connected to the hip bone, etc." is truer than one thinks. Our skeletal system has a physiological alignment, that when is close to correct as possible, reduces abnormal stresses thus reducing pain and discomfort. When one portion of this system is out-of-alignment, it can affect a part or the whole body. So, this brings me to my topic of... big bags.
Kids and women have a tendency to purchase big bags to carry massive amounts of 'stuff'. Kids to carry books for school and women... well, I really don't know what all you carry. But these big bags can cause pain, strains, and in younger children, permanent misalignment of the skeletal system. So here are a few tips to reduce or eliminate this problem:
1: Lighten the load: carry no more than 25% of your weight in your backpack or oversized purse. Excessive weight can cut off blood supply and compress nerves in the arms. Cutting off blood supply can lead to fatigue and compressing nerves can lead to numbness and loss of hand and finger mobility.
2: Keep the backpack or purse close to your body: also use both straps on the backpack instead of slinging it over one shoulder.
3: Carry equal amounts of weight in both arms: if you have mutliple bags (like groceries or shopping bags) balance the bags between each side. Unequal balance twists your torso and makes your spine work harder. (If you only have one bag or carry a heavy item over one shoulder, be sure to switch it often to avoid constant twisting of your torso in one direction).
4: Roller bags and luggage: many people have gone to roller bags and luggage to avoid having to carry heavy items. But these can have a hidden problem as well. Make sure that your bag or suitcase handle extends to your waist. A short handle can cause abnormal bending putting extra force on your spine. If the handle is to short, many stores sell extenders.
5: Big fat wallet (if only I had this problem): a fat wallet is a nice problem to have, but sitting on a bulge in your hip pocket can also cause a twist to your torso. Switch your wallet from pocket to pocket or thin it to basic essentials.

"The journey of life is taken one step at a time... none of them should be painful." G.M. Barclay, DPM, AACFAS