Unfortunately, it is not so. The human spine is a segmental weight bearing structure, which works as a whole when under load. As such the position and stability of one segment is necessarily dependent of the position and stability of the segment below.

 

If we descend the spine to its lowest level, we encounter the sacral bone, nested between the two sacroiliac joints, forming the basement upon which, the entire vertebral column sits.

 

It is of vital importance for the pelvis and sacrum to be as level as possible not to affect the above structures. Unfortunately, placing a wallet, namely a large wedge filled with credit cards, cash and coins, under one of the buttocks, causes a rotation, hence a misalignment in the basement of the spine.

 

Whenever the base of a column is wedged to one side, the entire column is affected listing to the low side, as in the tower of Pisa. However, our body has a lot more plasticity than an old Italian tower of marble and stone, so with time it compensates for the anomaly in the alignment of its base and it curves the spine towards the opposite side so to correct the listing.

 

The long-term consequences of such compensation are the forming of a functional scoliosis, generating postural and spinal stress, as well as improper loading of the intervertebral discs. The results can vary from early degeneration of the vertebral column, to discal protrusions and hernias to structural calcifications.  Moreover, continuous pressure over the buttock area can also chronically inflame local structures, most importantly the Sciatic nerve along it's course to the leg and foot, causing sciatic pain down the leg, tingling and or numbness, a condition also known as wallet neuropathy.

 

If you used to or currently have the habit of carrying your wallet in the back pocket, today is the day to stop doing it!