Health professionals across Bihar are raising concerns about musculoskeletal problems among office workers who routinely carry heavy tote bags packed with laptops, water bottles, and other essentials. Physiotherapy clinics in Patna and Muzaffarpur have reported a 30 per cent increase in patients complaining of shoulder pain and postural issues linked to daily bag usage.
Dr Anjali Sharma, a physiotherapist at Patna's IGIMS, explains that carrying bags weighing more than 10 per cent of one's body weight can lead to chronic neck and shoulder strain. "We're seeing young professionals in their twenties and thirties with problems typically associated with much older patients," she said. The issue is compounded when bags are carried on one shoulder repeatedly, creating muscle imbalances.
Experts recommend choosing bags with padded, wide straps that distribute weight evenly, and alternating shoulders regularly. Organizing bag contents to keep heavier items closer to the body can also reduce strain. The Ayushman Bharat programme now includes physiotherapy consultations at primary health centres, making treatment more accessible for those experiencing work-related musculoskeletal problems.
Specialists advise office workers to conduct weekly bag audits, removing unnecessary items and keeping daily loads under two kilograms whenever possible to maintain long-term spinal health.