Scientists Explain The Dangers Of Sitting On Your wallet
Most people especially the men have been known to place their wallets in the back pockets with their documentations and money but did you know that something as simple as sitting on your wallet increases your risk of chronic health problems such as repetitive back pain?
This is common among men who have been tagged to placing their large fatty wallets in the back pocket and end up sitting on them, unaware of the negative effects it might cause them.
Many of them have visited hospitals, complaining of backaches and pain in the legs. According to Orthopedic doctors, this is as a result of sitting on wallets something that affects their postural balance stressing low back anatomy.
Dr. Steven Emokol explains how this act affects the Sciatic nerve; the longest and thickest nerve in the body traveling from the lower back through the hips, buttocks and down each leg
“The sciatic nerve gets its nerve roots right from the lower back especially the last two nerve roots in the lumbar spine all through up to some nerve roots from the sacrum. All these nerve roots fuse together to from the sciatic nerve.” He said.
Although it may take a long time before a person notices the side effects, Dr. Steven has warned people who sit on their wallets about the intense pain that they will experience if they do not stop.
“They usually present with a burning sensation or pain that you actually cannot locate. Neuropathic pain is more like pain that is deep seated, deep within the muscles that when you touch, you cannot tell which exact part is paining. It is just a pain radiating through that part of body.”
Dr. Steven cannot put a timeline to when the pain can surface but he says it depends on the amount of pressure that is being put on the nerve and also the position of the wallet.
‘If the wallet is more away from the buttock towards the side, it may not cause as much effect but If you are sitting on it directly, then it is going to cause a huge risk of acquiring this kind of pain” He said.
The body loves and is more settled when in neutral postures whether seated, sleeping or standing. He further advises people going through this pain to seek medical attention.
“Visit a specialist who will usually recommend physiotherapy which will help to reduce on the tension on the sciatic nerve.” Dr. Steven said.
So next time you sit down, double check to confirm that you do not have your wallet placed at the back pockets to avoid damaging your spine.
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