When All That Money Causes Pain

It’s interesting when we get a patient from Canada complaining of back pain. Most often it is a man who has been driving for long periods and developed a low back pain that often radiates down the leg. Most of them have no history of severe lumbar problems but are miserable enough to find help on their vacation.

Let’s talk….

One thing that is very common in Canada, for men, is to carry their wallets in the back pocket of their pants. If you sit down on that wallet, it throws your back slightly out of alignment. Over the years, their bodies adjust to this and it is usually not a problem. Also, what has to be noted, there are no dollar bills in Canada. There are coins worth both one and two dollars that are usually kept in the front pockets. As there are also no pennies, the front pockets do not get that heavy.

Enter American currency. Though we use credit cards more and more, a certain age group still likes to have some cash with them, especially for tips, snacks etc. These are also the men who keep their money in their wallets. As the low denomination bills add up in those wallets, they throw off the spinal alignment and put more and more pressure on the sciatic nerve. This is a chiropractor’s dream for business, but it is certainly not how you want to spend your vacation.

There are now low profile wallets available, but really no wallet should be kept in the back pocket. The use of credit cards, money clips or the low profile wallet, in the front pockets, will make a patient much more comfortable. There are also handy little pockets you can stick on your cell phone that can carry a drivers license, a credit card and a small amount of cash.

Times are changing. We should be aware of the little things that can affect our health in a big way. This is one avoidable problem that can change your whole trip.

Bon voyage!

Last modified: December 11, 2020