My recent conversations with spinal doctors have me rethinking this strategy, however. “Overloading a bag with heavy items can be damaging to wrists, elbows, shoulders or back, depending on where it’s carried,” explained Dr. Kevin Lees, the director of chiropractic operations at The Joint Chiropractic in Scottsdale, Arizona. “Carrying less weight is always the priority. While you can change your bag to help distribute weight more evenly and comfortably, added weight will ultimately affect posture and gait.”
Apparently, the fact that I tend to stuff all those items into a one-shoulder tote bag makes matters even worse.