A Simple Solution for a Common Chiropractic Problem

LIVERMORE — Ask any chiropractor and they’re likely to concur: many of the most common chiropractic issues are caused by the simplest habits. One such example is pain in the hip and tingling or numbness down the leg, which is a common complaint among patients both young and old. Most people are surprised when they discover the unassuming culprit for this prevalent problem: a wallet worn in the back pocket while driving.

In general, your right hip tends to tilt back a little while you’re driving (due to the continuous working of the pedals). Ordinarily, this isn’t a big issue—once you leave your car and start walking, your hip will typically return to the correct position on its own. However, if you keep a wallet in your back pocket while you drive, your hip may become tilted to an inordinate degree. What’s worse, it often won’t go back into place after you exit the vehicle. Over time, your hip can become anywhere from a quarter inch to three quarters of an inch out of alignment, resulting in an uneven gait and excessive soreness.

In addition to contributing to hip misalignment, keeping a wallet in your back pocket while driving can cause sciatica problems. Since a wallet usually sits near both the piriform is muscle and the sciatic nerve, sitting on it for long durations can set off a chain reaction that starts with muscle irritation. As the muscle becomes more aggravated, it begins to spasm, which causes the sciatic nerve to become crimped. The end result is pain, numbness and a tingling feeling down your leg.

Fortunately, there’s a simple way to avoid these painful problems: transfer your wallet from your back pocket to your front pocket before driving or sitting for extended periods of time. This minor change of habit can make a big difference in your chiropractic health.