Ever heard someone complain of wallet sciatica pain in their bum? Have you ever thought that keeping your wallet in your back pocket may be causing your lower back pain or sciatica symptoms?
Personally, I’ve never thought about it, but many men I see carry their wallets in the back pocket of their jeans.
Wallet sciatica is a case of sciatic nerve extraspinal tunnel neuropathy. Its clinical appearance is frequently mistaken with lumbar spine sciatica. Wallet sciatica is also sometimes referred to as hip-pocket syndrome, wallet neuritis, wallet neuropathy, fat wallet syndrome or credit carditis. Chronic sciatic nerve compression caused by a wallet causes gluteal and ipsilateral lower extremity discomfort, tinnitus, and burning sensations. At the end of the day it really is a lower back problem called piriformis syndrome.
I will explain below how you can get rid of this type of pain with two cool piriformis stretches.
What’s in Your Wallet
Several of my male patients have developed the practise of keeping their wallets in their back pockets. It’s true that some of these wallets look like they might weigh a tonne just from their size alone. I mean, you ought to see what some folks carry in their wallets and handbags.
A large number of cards, documents, money, and/or coins are kept in the wallet on the dominant side, making it awkward to utilise when driving, riding, or sitting. Fat Wallet Syndrome refers to a disorder characterised by spasm of the piriformis muscle, which causes compression of the sciatic nerve.
This picture of a fat wallet is a classic example of what I have seen. A wallet stuffed with old paper receipts, too many credit/debit or store cards, coins and notes. Then you get comedy examples like George from the sitcom Seinfeld with his exploding wallet.
Read also: Best Office Chair for Sciatica UK
How To Treat Piriformis Syndrome
You can watch the “hip pocket syndrome video” below by Austin, Texas chiropractor Jeff Echols. Jeff will show you how keeping a wallet in the back pocket of your jeans or trousers can ultimately put pressure on your sciatic nerve. This in turn could be contributing to the cause of your back pains or that ache in the back of your thigh from sciatica. Jeff also mentions one possible solution as to why maybe men should consider using a money clip instead of a wallet.
There are several treatment options for piriformis syndrome. Treatment may include stretching exercises, massage, physical therapy, and icing the affected area. In some cases, surgery may be necessary to remove the piriformis muscle.
If you are experiencing pain in the buttocks or down the back of the leg, it is important to see a doctor to rule out other potential causes of these symptoms, such as a herniated disc. Once other causes have been ruled out, treatment for piriformis syndrome can begin.
Stretching exercises may help to relieve pain and improve range of motion. I also have written about some basic tips on how to stretch some of the bum muscles affected from having tight muscles around your hip and lower back area. Massage can help to relax the piriformis muscle and release tension. Physical therapy may be recommended to help improve flexibility and strength. Icing the affected area can help to reduce pain and inflammation.
In some cases, surgery may be necessary to remove the piriformis muscle. This is typically only recommended if other treatment options have failed to provide relief.
Read also: The Pain in the Butt – how to heal Sciatica
Conclusion
Who would have thought that your credit status could be such a pain in the bum, literally. Long periods of sitting on a man’s huge, fatty wallet can have a deleterious effect on his postural balance, putting extra strain on his lower back. Whether or not your wallet is loaded with credit cards, the pressure on your sciatic nerve might mimic the symptoms of sciatica.
Maybe it is time to consider really as Capital One credit cards say “What’s in your Wallet” and is it good for your spinal health.
Long periods of sitting on a man’s huge, fatty wallet can have a deleterious effect on his postural balance, putting extra strain on his lower back. Whether or not your wallet is loaded with credit cards, the pressure on your sciatic nerve might mimic the symptoms of sciatica.
The obvious solution is to form the habit of not overstuffing one’s wallet. Get rid of clutter, destroy outdated bank and credit card statements, and only save what you need. Never take it out of your jacket’s or shirt’s pocket. Invest in a wallet or phone case that has extra compartments for bills, cards, and other small stuff. This will prevent you from causing needless suffering to your back.
Do you think you are suffering from this problem of wallet sciatica or piriformis syndrome? Is your wallet too thick?