Your Wallet May Literally Be a Pain in the Tush
July 19th, 2007 (2:00pm) Judi Sohn 20 Comments
What’s in your wallet?
If it’s big and bulky and you’re sitting on it, you may be at risk for piriformis syndrome. According to Wikipedia:
Piriformis syndrome is a neuromuscular disorder that occurs when the sciatic nerve is compressed or otherwise irritated by the piriformis muscle. This causes pain, tingling and numbness in the buttocks and along the course of the sciatic nerve. The syndrome may result from anatomical variations in the muscle-nerve relationship, or from overuse or strain.
Ouch.
Carpal tunnel syndrome and other RSIs aren’t enough of an occupational hazard to worry about? Did you know that a primary cause of piriformis syndrome is sitting on a wallet in the back pocket for extended periods of time? That’s why the condition is also known as “wallet sciatica.” It’s not just wallets, sitting on anything aside from the natural padding under your skin (some of us have more of that than others) can cause the painful condition.
Thankfully, it’s easy enough to treat with stretching and of course, not leaving your wallet in your back pocket while you work. Eric Mack learned he was sitting on his back problem and swears by his Grahl Duo-Back chair for easing pressure on the sore points. My husband has been in a lot of pain due to sciatica lately as well.
Is sciatica a problem for you? Any sure-fire remedies to suggest?
20 Comments Post your own comment
wars128 says: July 19th, 2007 2:19pm
For some reason I find this kinda funny, becuase I have enough space in my back pocket for the wallet to move to the side. But maybe thats just me…
Isaac says: July 19th, 2007 2:27pm
My jeans allow for the same movement of my wallet. But my wife says it’s because I have no butt.
This is definitely one more reason to start using a money clip. This, and the episode of Seinfeld with George’s huge wallet/organizer.
ERB Tech » Blog Archive » You Wallet is Hurting You says: July 19th, 2007 2:31pm
[...] Worker Daily posted Your Wallet May Literally Be a Pain in the Tush which not only vindicates my decision to not carry a wallet, but gives me medical proof I’m [...]
Alex says: July 19th, 2007 2:33pm
I switched to a front pocket wallet about a year ago and I’m never going back!
EB says: July 19th, 2007 2:34pm
Absolutely.
I wrote an article on my blog where I decided no more wallet for me…
Thanks for giving me medical proof I am right!
Ryan says: July 19th, 2007 2:37pm
It’s true. For years I kept my wallet in my back pocket. I’m a pack rat of sorts and hate to part with anything. Yes, even receipts from two years ago (it’s an illness), which I only recently got rid of. Consequently, my brick of a wallet caused a sciatic problem and it was far from enjoyable. Chiropractor suggested removing it when driving or sitting for long periods, as you highlight here.
Now I don’t even keep it in my back pocket. The new home is the computer bag which, of course, is with me at all times.
Celsius1414 says: July 19th, 2007 3:06pm
On this very topic, from a couple of years ago:
http://www.celsius1414.com/zen_pockets
hak says: July 19th, 2007 3:31pm
For the same reasons, I ditched my wallet. I know carry everything I need in my front pocket: IDs, credit cards, cash wrapped around it and then everything held together by one of my daughter’s hair bands.
Works like a charm.
The bonus to this method is that I have no place to keep paper. It’s amazing what crap you no longer need to carry when you have no place to carry it!
hak
datter says: July 19th, 2007 4:18pm
Get married and have kids. Your wallet will be so thin you won’t even know it’s there.
Lance says: July 19th, 2007 6:36pm
another bump for the front wallet
Joe says: July 19th, 2007 7:21pm
I had the “Costanza Wallet” and when a client mocked me for it as I was digging out a business card, I repented to the All-Ett.
(http://www.all-ett.com)
My rear end is very thankful.
Joe says: July 19th, 2007 7:23pm
Explainer for “Costanza Wallet”.
(http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=george+costanza’s+wallet)
Joshua Kaufman says: July 19th, 2007 7:57pm
Get a Slimmy wallet. They rock.
Tim Peter says: July 19th, 2007 7:58pm
OK, not to sound like a PHB, but what’s wrong with a wallet carried in a sports coat pocket? Regardless of whether I’m wearing slacks or jeans, I like to wear a jacket. When I don’t wear a jacket, I take my wallet out of my back pocket before sitting down.
COD says: July 20th, 2007 8:04am
Small wallet, front pocket, no problems. Bonus benefit is that it is virtually impossible to be victimized by a pickpocket. Not that as a home based web worker it’s really an issue for me…
Khurt says: July 20th, 2007 3:06pm
I never understood the wallet in the back pocket thing. Maybe it comes from living for year in pre-Juliani New York, but carrying my wallet in my front pockets with my hands in them reduced the chances of being pick pocketed.
Beau says: July 20th, 2007 7:46pm
I dropped the big wallet for a money clip with credit card holder. Being married, it holds no cash (I keep business cards where a single guy would keep cash) and the few cards (visa, ATM, license, starbucks card, and Universal Life Minister) are just right.
On a related subject, I also don’t use a watch because it keep getting in the way of my laptop keyboard…
links for 2007-07-21 « J.Uma Shankar Ladha says: July 20th, 2007 7:56pm
[...] Web Worker Daily » Blog Archive Your Wallet May Literally Be a Pain in the Tush « (tags: health) [...]
Beer Meister says: July 20th, 2007 9:08pm
Hi. I made the transition to a low-profile wallet. I tried the Jimi Wallet first, then the Junior All-ett. Pics and a write up about the wallets are here:
My quest for the low-profile wallet
http://www.lococerveza.com/wallet.htm
I wrote it up a few months ago and I wouldn’t go back to a traditional wallet. The All-ett has held up very well with no wear.
I quit wearing a watch, too. I use a small cellphone, now.
Paul says: July 24th, 2007 8:12pm
I actually went to the doctor a year ago because of back pain, and found that this was the cause. I still have a hard time remembering to put my wallet in my front pocket though.