You Asked for It
June/July 2005

Greetings Sharon:

I have done some serious harm to my arms (pain from elbow down to wrists) from carrying my heavy briefcase all those years I was teaching (public transport and lots of walking) and since I still need to carry a fair bit, was wondering if you could give me your professional opinion regarding the backpacks & briefcases being sold via http://www.airpacks.com/faqs.shtm there are Testimonials from Health care professionals as well, but since Ergonomics is not my forte ...

Also, would their ergo briefcases be worth looking into, or should a person stick to a backpack?

Thanks a bunch!
Mavis

Response:
It sounds like an interesting product line and I would like to try one out before passing full judgment. I like what I read about the knapsacks. The lumbar pad sounds promising, and for arm pain, the air pockets in the shoulder straps and the S-shape are a good idea.

As for the briefcases, I don't see how a lumbar pad would make any significant difference and you would still be carrying over one shoulder which places significant pressure on the nerves to the arms. I would rather see you transfer the load to a wheeled case. If you can drop by Staples or Office Depot, they both have a variety of briefcases on wheels that would work. The luggage shops also carry some. Even a small wheeled suitcase would be better than carrying loads in your hands or on your shoulders.

Further...

Hi Sharon:

Thought you may be interested to hear what the physiotherapist I saw said about backpacks, briefcases and suitcases on wheels...she doesn't recommend the suitcases on wheels that you pull, she said that over time they create problems - person is off balance on one side. She said her first choice is a backpack with a waist strap.

Response:
Your physio's concern is entirely valid - mostly because people are creatures of habit and don't alternate hands. I actually recommend that people PUSH wheeled briefcases (as long as the handle doesn't collapse). Continuous pulling can create an anterior rotator cuff strain. The body was designed for forward motion, so the strength of the shoulder is in the posterior wall muscles.

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