Myofascial release

Fashion Doesn’t Always Have Your Back

May I have your attention, Ladies? It turns out that some fashion trends may negatively affect your health! Did you know that according to studies by the British Chiropractic Association (BCA) some trends can contribute to women developing back pain? [i]

  • Do you have any health, weight loss or fitness question?
  • Do you want to know what else it might be affecting your health?

recreational and lifestyle affect your nect, shoulder, pelvis, and hip

  • Get in touch now with one of the best personal trainer in London through this link, HERE, and learn to reduce joint and muscle pain optimising your strength, body alignment, core and posture.

A lot of ladies have an inherent need for glamour… and the fashion industry is rife with options that cater to those needs!

A young brit lady who wants to be on the cutting edge of fashion (sequins and pastels are apparently in this year) might find herself trying new things, some a bit on the odd side (like wearing a dress made out of raw meat) just to put it mildly 🙂

Some, however, might border a bit on the dangerous side, and I don’t mean risqué.

Research showed that 73% of women surveyed had suffered from back pain at some point in their lives and that 28% actually knew that their fashion choices could affect their back, neck, and posture, but were not encouraged by that knowledge to change their choices of clothes.

That’s a bit disconcerting, right there.

These women actually knew that the clothes they wore were causing them back and neck problems, but they didn’t really know what to do or if they’ll be better of wearing something else.

And that’s not the scary part!

33% of women were actually completely unaware that the clothes they wore had any effect on their health at all.

Fashion Culprits

You don’t really need a doctor to tell you that carrying bags for extended periods of time will definitely affect your posture and alignment.

Fashion Culprits

Carrying even an empty handbag on your shoulder will create constant isometric contraction of the shoulder elevators leading to serious neck, breathing, postural and back problems.

Can you see why carrying a hand bag on your shoulders is not such a good idea?

And to further complicate things, this year carrying multiple bags at the same time is the trend!

Carrying bags on your elbow and forearms causes muscle strains and tendinitis

 

However, other fashion trends that might be more unexpected could have insidious effects on your back, neck, and posture, and could restrict your movement with dire consequences.

Below I’ll give you short review of some of those trends.

  • Skinny jeans: Just because you got it, doesn’t mean you need to flaunt it! Skinny jeans are definitely ubiquitous enough in today’s wardrobe, but closer inspection reveals that they could actually be more dangerous than we think. A study[ii] shows that doing normal activities in such garments could lead to life-threatening conditions and hazards.
  • Oversized bags: [iii] You need to carry a bag, I won’t argue that point. But bear in mind that heavy bags, and those carried on one side of the body tend to cause postural strain on the spine, which culminates to neck and back pain.
  • Coats with large fluffy hoods: You may think that it’s very posh to wear a large hood, but it might actually make you more aggressive![iv]
  • High-heeled shoes: You might think you look more refined wearing high heels, but studies show that high heels lead to increased stress on the back and legs. [v]
  • Backless shoes: a.k.a. mules, anything that is not properly fixed to the foot during walking can be a fall hazard which may lead to serious injuries.
  • Heavy necklaces: Just like with heavy bags, heavy necklaces could result in women leaning their heads forward, which positively correlates with the development of neck pain, according to studies.
  • Waist training: This has been a controversial issue since the bloody dark ages! Whereas the hourglass figure might hold some appeal, restricted breathing and chest expansion do not. The only healthy way to achieve a trimmed waist is to train well and eat right.
  • Cosmetic surgery: I won’t delve much into this topic, but I’ll at least say that adding additional weight to your body that wasn’t meant to be there might add undue pressures on your back, which you really could do without.

If your habits have already resulted in any chronic stress or injury to your back or musculoskeletal system, you might start helping yourself by learning more about rehabilitation for back pain.

feel pain in your buttocks or legs

If things have progressed even further than that and you feel pain in your buttocks or legs, then you might be suffering from a herniated disc and sciatica, conditions which will definitely require rehabilitation.

Have any of your habits affected your health or posture?

habits affected your health or posture

 

One of the best personal trainer in London can help you out!

Contact Jazz Alessi, HERE today!

Top tips for staying stylish and free from back pain?

I understand that it is important for many of the ladies to follow fashion trends (and I hear that tartan and plaid are making a comeback in 2018).

Am I saying that you need to wear a Hessian sack, then, in order to protect your health and posture?

Well, no!

The good news is that there are ways through which you can look good, but still take care of your back.

Following are some of those ways:

  • Keep it loose: clothes that keep your circulation unrestricted can definitely be fashion forward. Avoid wearing tight clothes for extended periods of time. Tight clothing not restricts blood flow in your limbs, but also restricts your body from moving freely the way it was meant to.
  • Wear clothes in variation: If you keep wearing the same ensemble that stresses your back or the same high-heeled shoes or those that don’t support your feet every day, the effect will accumulate over time and avalanche into something that could be potentially catastrophic. So, you can wear that stressful mule once if you’re dying to do so, but don’t make a habit out of it.
  • Choose heels smartly: the higher your heels are the more undue stress they will place on your body. Also, thinner heels provide a falling hazard (I’m sure you’re a born diva that can walk on the thinnest of heels, but the pot holes in the pavement don’t know that… and they don’t care!). So, go for chunkier heels, or even go flat altogether. Brogues for women are coming on to the scene… If it’s good enough for Prada, I say let’s give it a try.
  • Make bags as light as possible: If you must wear multiple bags at the same time as is the current rave, then make sure they are light and don’t cause strain on your arms, shoulders, or back. Do yourself a favor and remove from your bag those year-old ticket stubs, or that empty perfume bottle you keep in there for sentimental reasons, or anything else that is not absolutely necessary. Also, alternate carrying your back on either side to avoid straining the one you habitually carry on. Better yet, wear a backpack! British Vogue report that a certain Louis V. has a backpack. It’s haute couture and safe at the same time.
  • Make bags as light as possible:

That is one the prevention front.

But what do you do if you already suffer from back pain due to your long-standing dressing habits or otherwise?

Well, you might want to consider booking a focused but, relaxed and very effective, one to one pilates session package.

Studies show that people who engaged for 4 weeks in pilates exercises, did not suffer from back pain as much as people who didn’t, and the benefits of those exercises extended for more than 12 months.[vi]

How to choose the best personal trainer in London

Fashion forward or not, your body is the most important vehicle you’ll ever occupy.

No matter what your line of work is, a slender, athletic energetic body and tall posture are paramount for you to be able to function at the loftiest levels.

To achieve this end you need a lot of specialised body transformation knowledge, clinical exercise expertise, injury rehabilitation, and motivation.

choose the best personal trainer in London

It all comes down to the same question.

Are we treating our body like a temple?

I am Jazz Alessi, an elite personal trainer, clinical exercise specialist, 2nd generation Pilates instructor, certified nutritionist, and weight loss expert.

You deserve to train with one of the best personal trainer in London.

If you want to achieve the body of your dreams, the body that’ll help you perform at an elite level, and get rid of back pain, or any type of postural problems contact me now through this link, HERE.

References

[i] https://chiropractic-uk.co.uk/womens-back-health-suffering-sake-fashion

[ii] Wai K, Thompson PD, Kimber TE; Fashion victim: rhabdomyolysis and bilateral peroneal and tibial neuropathies as a result of squatting in ‘skinny jeans’ J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2016;87:782.

[iii] Dunn, Shoshanna. “Taking care of our spine.” Sister Namibia19.3 (2007): 28.

[iv] Zimbardo, P. G. (1969). The human choice: Individuation, reason, and order versus deindividuation, impulse, and chaos. Nebraska Symposium on Motivation, 17, 237–307.

[v] Lee, Chang-Min, Eun-Hee Jeong, and Andris Freivalds. “Biomechanical effects of wearing high-heeled shoes.” International journal of industrial ergonomics 28.6 (2001): 321-326.

[vi] Rydeard, Rochenda, Andrew Leger, and Drew Smith. “Pilates-based therapeutic exercise: effect on subjects with nonspecific chronic low back pain and functional disability: a randomized controlled trial.” Journal of orthopaedic & sports physical therapy 36.7 (2006): 472-484.

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You agree to hold harmless the owner of this site for any action taken on your own without consulting your medical doctor first by using the information on the website for diagnostic, treatment, or any other related purposes. This is not medical advice. If you are suffering from any illness, disease or ailments please contact your doctor first and immediately. 

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