Too heavy a burden

What’s inside a woman’s handbag has always been a mystery. Ask any woman and she will tell you that there are times when her handbag can hold more things than Aladdin’s cave of treasures — from a make-up kit, perfume, deodorant, first-aid kit, pepper spray, books, bills, keys and at times laptops as well.

As a result, there have been many complaints of women suffering from shoulder soreness and stiff necks. Metrolife talks to the bag-obsessed generation and doctors on the side-effects of over-loading one’s handbag. 

Dr Satish, an orthopaedic, says that the symptoms are similar to those experienced by kids who carry heavy backpacks on one shoulder. “Many experience neck pain, not just while they are carrying their purses but at all times. Not only that, many women even talk on the cellphones while they are carrying these bags, which only intensifies the problem because in addition to balancing too much weight on one side, they are lifting the shoulder at the same time,” he explains. 

Dr Pramila, another orthopedic in the City, says that the pain is just temporary. Gentle stretching and warm baths can help those suffering, she adds. “It has started to become a very common problem among many, especially those who end up carrying laptops to work as well. I always advise women to start cleaning out their bags once a week and also to use all the pockets of the purse so that the weight is dispensed evenly within the bag,” she says.

Prerna, a professional, admits that her bags are often so large that she tends to put unnecessary things into them. “Sometimes, I will have an important meeting and then a friend’s get-together at night. So instead of travelling all the way back home, I carry my make-up kit, hair brush and a change of clothes with me. So it does end up getting very heavy,” she says.

Lavanya, a young professional, is so used to carrying her bag on the right shoulder that she often experiences pain. 

“I try very hard to carry few things but I always end up taking so much with me, which I use on an everyday purpose,” she says. 

Dr Pramila suggests a way to minimise the damage. “Instead of always carrying a bag on the same side women, should switch it back and forth,” she says.

Manisha, a student, also faces the problem of overloading her handbag. “On days when I don’t have college, my bag is still a little overloaded with things like water, umbrella, deodorant, pack of tissues etc. I feel it’s a tendency among all women to stuff their purses with more things as you never know when you may need them,” she adds. 

Actresses, who are always on the move, tend to carry more things than necessary.

 Rajshri, an actress, says that she always makes it a point to plan before she leaves the house for shoot. “I always keep a check on the things I put in my handbag depending on where I am headed. I include the essentials and make sure I carry a bigger handbag when I have more things to carry, rather than overload a small bag,” she says. 

Gloria, another student, says, “The bigger the bag, the more I seem to need to bring with me. I carry an iPod, a book, a backup magazine, make-up, a phone, my wallet, extra shoes and workout clothes, most of which I won’t even need, but it’s nice to know that it’s there.” 

So it’s not just the school children with their heavy school bags that one has to worry about. The next time one gets a pain in the neck, one just has take a good look at their own handbag.