What sort of everyday bag do you have if you get back pain?

[Trickymoments]

I have arthritis & get back/neck pain.

I lug a tote bag around with me & use it for work & out & about with dc's. It gets all sorts of things thrown into it & ends up being pretty heavy which isn't helping the pain I'm sure.

I realise the answer is to carry less around but I do seem to need most of it.

Just wondered if anyone else has similar issues & could recommend a less back breaking bag solution?! Thanks

Thank you Willsee, that's interesting. Doesn't lifting weights put more strain/pain on your back?

I have Kipling bags. I Watched the website for reductions. I have both a rucksack and a cross body handbag.
The website gives weights too.

Thanks Bakewell I did see the Kipling rucksack bags when I was searching & they look nice.

Do the nylon HBBs look like the Kipling bags? My mum is a fan of Kipling but I have to say I don't really like the look. I prefer something classic and leather (but soft and lightweight)

I've recently been on holiday in Italy and replaced a handbag I'd bought there about ten years ago. I've only seen them on sale in Florence which is mad as its a brilliant design. It's a long handled leather bag, but the straps can be easily pulled slightly to work as a back pack. It means I can use it as a shoulder back but if I'm going any distance or if it gets heavy I can switch it simply. Wish they sold them in the UK ...

I'm having treatment for back problems atm, and the therapist make sure I use a cross body bag. I have this one
www.britishmuseumshoponline.org/invt/cmcv37480
It weighs less than 400g
I use the tiny one for all my medications, nail scissors, etc, little pocket for pack tissues, back zip vouchers, spare phone batteries, spoon, main body specs, folding hairbrush, card folder, coin purse, pens, phone, mints and can get a bottle of water in there, too. Inner zip pocket a second card folder, so I don't have both cards out in my hand at the same time. It's the best bag I've ever had. They also so a simple messenger bag, for when more is needed, and a backpack, although I don't have that one.

A decent backpack has a hip belt which can be tightened there - this transfers the weight from your shoulders.

Fashion backpacks don't have these and also have lots of useless weight in tags, logos, huge buckles etc. Clue - if it is pink or floral it won't be much use.

Wheely suitcases distort how you walk and always catch on something, twisting or jerking you. No good outside airports or train stations.

Annie you're doing well to fit all that in a small bag. I think I need to really think through what i actually need on a daily basis as I could probably cut it down. It doesn't help my purse is large so won't fit in a lot of smaller bags. Perhaps I need a new purse too...!

when I had mega whiplash I picked up a small leather backpack (Jane shilton) second hand off eBay. i also had a large sensible backpack for days out with children.

Now (few years later but still cautious) I tend to use my kipling cross body bag because is so incredibly light. I was very fussy over pattern though and again picked up the one I wanted second hand from eBay.

Osteopath waso brilliant, both when I pinged my back whilst pregnant and through the whiplash

Thanks Toffee, I'll have a browse on ebay

Thanks - and the reason I have separate coin purse and card folder is precisely because my purse was so big and crammed with all sorts of rubbish. I have progressively cut down on what I consider to be essentials. Funny, now I have stopped carrying massive great messenger bags, DH has started taking a backpack with him everywhere, as, surprise, surprise, I don't now have enough room for all his stuff!

My DC are now 9 and 10. When I go out I take a tiny bag with a crossover strap which holds my phone with my credit cards and other cards and key in the zip compartment. It can hold a small bottle of water and a couple of small snacks and a lipstick, powder and folded up plastic shopping bag and that's it. We actually don't need anything else. It was a revelation when I realised we just don't really need a lot of stuff any more and my back and shoulder is so much better for it.

I also manage to fit a small pair of spare reading glasses and tissue.

And a couple of paracetamol and ibuprofen and a couple of plasters

I have back pain and tend to use bags with multiple carrying options i.e. a long cross body strap as well as little handles so I can swap it around as I'm out and about. And I try and limit how much I carry - purse, phone, keys, sunglasses, small pouch with lip balm, hair ties and hand cream etc plus sunscreen for DD.

Having said that I am considering buying a Longchamp Le Pliage just because they're so lightweight. I'd like something smartish so I can use it for work so I don't feel like a backpack would work for me. Plus I worry about pickpockets!

Inspired by this thread I got a small cheap leather backpack, I'm going to see if it helps my shoulder but so far so good.

Have just been browsing this very topic, having slipped another cervical disc last week...

Anyone got a mandarina duck backpack?

www.mandarinaduck.com/gbr/en-gb/catalog/index/woman/backpacks?pg=0

I have an Earth tech healthy back bag. Medium. I love it on a busy day out. Rucksacks sit just where my back is sore. I can fill it and carry it happily. It's rather large though so rarely gets filled up!
Regarding other advice. See physio. If possible seek MRI for diagnosis. Build core strength. (Fitball or Pilates etc.) Walk. Don't sit down too much. Tiger Balm helps me. Hot water bottle. Stretch and try to relax. Tension makes it worse.

These bags are great - they convert from over the shoulder to backpack

now offence rooster but they would have sat way too low on my back to have helped with the back and neck pain. the straps and weight distribution are going to pull on your shoulders something awful.

They look gorgeous and I can imagine are fantastic if you just want something you can stick on your back every now and then

Agree. They just don't look comfortable enough for serious back issues.

I'm thinking this leather one in olive green for work:

www.mandarinaduck.com/gbr/en-gb/catalog/detail/mellow-leather-backpack/fzt66?ic=lBulcA%3D%3D

And this one, for out and about with DC:

www.mandarinaduck.com/gbr/en-gb/catalog/detail/original-small/pht02011n?ic=EhAZJg%3D%3D

Looked a healthy back bags and I just don't think the single strap will work for me, need both distributing weight across both shoulders equally. I just won't be slinging a bag on one shoulder anymore.

No offence taken - Perhaps you can't see in the pictures, but you can easily adjust the straps so when it is a backpack it sits higher on the body. They certainly work for me - mind you, I try really hard not to carry anything superfluous in my bag so it's always fairly light.