Like most people, you probably stuff your handbag with enough supplies to carry you through any situation. A walletful of membership cards. Reading material for a week. An extra pair of shoes. Just in case, right?

But as a chiropractor, I know this can lead to serious problems. That’s because your heavy bag is most likely pulling one side of your body down, causing a core imbalance. And that’s one of the root causes of back pain. A heavy purse or messenger bag — yes, this can apply to men, too — can also cause tension in your neck and shoulder muscles.