Trend for huge handbags causing 'explosion in back strain cases'

The current trend for oversized bags may be damaging more than the wallets of fashionistas, it has been claimed.

Osteopaths say that carrying the big bags and their contents around can seriously damage the spine, leading to a lifetime of back pain, reports the China Daily. On average, a woman will carry 5.2 pounds in weight in her handbag, thanks to an increase in gadgets such as mp3 players and laptops.

Garry Trainer, an osteopath and acupuncturist, told the website that he has seen a recent explosion in cases of back strain.

"If a heavy bag is carried constantly on the same shoulder then it can compress the muscles on one side while stretching the muscles on the other," he said. "Ideally weight should be carried across both shoulders close to the body."

Many celebrities have been seen sporting the huge handbags, including Eva Longoria, Katie Holmes and Coleen McLouglin.

Indeed, Sarah Harding recently spoke out about her back pain due to lugging around heavy handbags, according to the Daily Record.

Experts advise either reducing what you carry in your bag, or purchasing a smaller carrier such as a clutch bag, the newspaper states.

NHS Direct reports that back pain is the largest single cause of sickness absence in the UK, with some cases lasting up to six weeks.