The reason why you should no longer carry your wallet in your back pocket

Lifestyle Science calls it the Fat Wallet Syndrome, it is an epidemic and we will tell you what it is.

By Isaac Garrido

The thick wallet syndrome is a consequence of carrying the wallet in the back pocket of the pants, it is something that is usually done almost innately. It is assumed that it should be saved there, period. The day begins, you put it in your pants pocket and you don't take it out of there even when you face a riot that can make you a victim of being stolen. How comfortable it is to carry is not even questioned, although sometimes the wallet looks bad. But it's time to rethink that behavior, because carrying your wallet in the back can have consequences on your health due to the so-called fat wallet syndrome, capable of unbalancing the pelvis and causing back pain.

No, it is not an exaggeration. Science certifies its existence and has even classified it as an “epidemic among men”. We tell you everything that no one has told you about the effects of carrying your wallet on the back.

What is fat wallet syndrome?

It is a condition in which, due to the use of a thick bag in the back of the pants, there is an inclination in the position of the pelvis that can have negative effects on the posture that cause from numbness of the legs to consequences as serious as spinal deviation. This is because the imbalance generated by the bag causes the sciatic nerve to be compressed, according to the study "Fat bag syndrome: an epidemic among men" published by the International Journal of Medical Research & Health Sciences.

The same document classifies it as an "epidemic among men" linked to the accessibility of the so-called plastic money. Fat wallet syndrome was first mentioned in 1966, in the New England Journal of Medicine in 1966 when credit cards were introduced, but it reached its popularity in the 1990s.

What are the consequences of this syndrome?

Spending a lot of time sitting with the bag on one of the buttocks causes a tilt in the position of the pelvis, which in turn generates compression in the sciatic nerve and other nerve endings in the lower back, which can translate into pain in that area. . The recurrent use of the bag in this area during activities such as driving or riding a bike can have consequences such as numbness in the leg up to the thigh, tingling, pain when supporting the skin and in extremely serious cases, serious damage to the spine such as scoliosis. (lateral deviation) or kyphosis (curvature of the spine).

In terms of style, carrying the wallet in the back pocket of the pants can deform the silhouette of this garment, wear out the fabric making it easier to tear and for the wallet itself it implies that the material with which it is made can be compromised. For example, if it has a pattern, it will be erased more easily and if it is made of some textured leather, it can be easily erased.

How is fat wallet syndrome treated?

The first recommendation to avoid suffering from any of the pain that comes as a result of thick wallet syndrome is to carry it in the front pocket of the pants or some other such as the inside pocket of the jacket. It is also recommended to avoid carrying cards that are not used and other materials such as receipts that can add volume to the wallet.

In case the effects are already beginning to show, the study "Fat bag syndrome: an epidemic among men" recommends undergoing stretching of the lower back and other muscle groups, adopting a good posture and in cases very advanced syndrome, practice breathing exercises that help expand the rib cage.