Dressed to kill? Outfits that take a toll on health

Whether it’s a pair of skinny jeans, reliable heels, a statement necklace or the handbag with room for everything, we all have our wardrobe favourites.

But your best- loved outfit may come with an unwanted accessory: back pain.

Doctors have warned that current fashions are changing the way women walk – and having a detrimental impact on their health.

Skinny jeans, hooded jackets, oversized bags, high heels and backless shoes are the most-worn culprits, according to the British Chiropractic Association.

Many problems are caused when clothing is too tight. For example, skinny jeans alter the way women walk by restricting the movement of the knees and hips and putting added pressure on the back and joints.

Asymmetric dresses and skirts restrict movement on one side of the body, with tight skirts forcing the knees together and putting women in

‘Clothing affects back and posture’

danger of a pulled muscle disc problems.

the wrong shoes also force women to hold their body strangely, causing tension in the spine, with backless shoes as troublesome as high heels.

And the rise of oversized handbags and heavy necklaces beloved by celebrities are weighing women down and increasing pressure on their necks, while coats with large hoods put pressure on the muscles as wearers twist their necks to see properly.

taken on their own, chiropractors say none of the above will cause pain or pulled muscles. But together and over time their effect can build up to cause significant problems.

A BCA survey of 1,062 women found that almost three- quarters suffer from back pain. however a third were unaware their choice of clothing could be part of the problem.

BCA chiropractor tim hutchful said: ‘I am always surprised at how many of my patients are unaware that their clothing and accessories can affect their back health and their posture, or and equally how many decide their outfit choice outweighs their pain.

‘Some of the most popular items of clothing can have a hidden health impact.’ he advised women to vary what they wear, switching between tight and looser clothing and heeled and flat shoes, adding: ‘the more freely you can move, the less likely you are to hurt yourself.’