Fashion for the physical wreck
SKINNY jeans, big sleeves and hoods could be turning you into a medicated follower of fashion.
They are among the style choices that can damage backs and bones, according to the British Chiropractic Association.
Practitioner Tim Hutchful said: “Skinny jeans wreak havoc as they restrict movement in hips and knees. Overloaded handbags are a common culprit too.
“Hoods can mean you strain your neck to see. Big sleeves can make you hold your arms in an unusual way.”
And there are even more everyday items that should carry a health warning... EYELASH CURLERS The magical wand that makes your peepers look big and bright is also a breeding ground for bacteria. It needs cleansing and disinfecting weekly to avoid any nasty eye bugs. BULGING WALLET Putting a packed purse in your back pocket can lead to a load of problems when you sit down.
Chiropractor Dr Arnie Angrist said: “Compression caused by a thick wallet can cause irritation to important structures in the buttocks – the sciatic nerve, muscles, local arteries and veins. Only carry essentials in a wallet or use a handbag or manbag.” MOBILE PHONE Talking on your phone can make you spotty.
Dermatologist Debra Jaliman said: “A lot of bacteria your phone accumulates isn’t visible to the eye. When you place it on your skin to make a call, your skin is in contact. It also starts to perspire and oil can be trapped in pores.
“The pressure of the phone on your skin creates blemishes.”
Go handsfree, try earphones or clean your phone daily with a microfibre cloth. FLAT SHOES Wearing flats does not equal happy feet. With their lack of support and cushioning, ballet pumps and flip flops can cause foot and even back pain.
Podiatrist Saoirse Waldron said: “Flat shoes have no arch support, no fastening strap or laces and no shock-absorbing material.
“This c an cause too much friction on the heel, Achilles tendon and toes, resulting in blisters, corns and callouses.”
Try an orthotic support from a pharmacy. ALARM CLOCK They get us to work on time but a study by the National Institute of Industrial Health in Japan found waking up to an alarm can lead to a higher blood pressure and heart rate. And they can also hike up your stress levels.
If you need an alarm, make sure it is at least a metre from your head and switched to a more gentle sound. GLITTERY EYESHADOW We love to bling it up but glittery eyeshadow is not so hot for eye health. Ophthalmologist Shalini Sood-Mendiratta said: “It can exacerbate chronically dry eyes and glitter is a common cause of corneal irritation and infection.” Use an eyeshadow primer beforehand to keep it in place. TIE Doing up a tie too tightly could damage your vision. A study in New York found fluid pressure in the eyeball rose when a tie was too tight. Long-term repetition has been linked to the serious eye condition glaucoma. Ties can constrict the jugular vein – the main blood vessel returning blood f r om t he head towards the heart. The solution is s i mple – loosen up. BACKPACK Carrying around too much in a heavy bag could cause serious back pain, a University of California study found. Aim for symmetry, with thick straps – or strength up your back muscles. David McGinness, from Virgin Active Strand, said: “Prevention is better than cure. Strengthen postural muscles in the trunk to help pain. Pilates can make a big difference.”