Totes provide fashion options, back pain for female students (Photo by John Schreiber, The Daily Campus)

Lisa Henderson knows that one day she may need a chiropractor, but that is the price she is willing to pay for her trendy pink tote bag.

“I prefer a tote bag over a backpack, because I think it is definitely more fashionable,” Henderson said.

Henderson was informed that health experts do not recommend carrying a tote bag over the shoulder, because placing too much pressure on one side can cause an enormous amount of strain.

Henderson was still adamant that fashion made more sense.

“I am really into fashion, and especially at SMU, fashion over comfort is a sacrifice I am willing to take,” Henderson said.

Henderson was among several female students who were recently surveyed at the SMU campus over the choice of tote bag or backpack. The majority of students favored the tote bag for various reasons: convenience, variety and style.

The style and fashion for the trendy bag varies from label, size and color. Louis Vuitton and Coach lead the label trend.

The Prada tote, or the oversize boxy bag, expresses a young, fashionable professional.

The pastel embroidered monogram or multi-color beaded jewel design showcases a classy chic look.

As a newcomer to SMU, Lesli Benefield quickly observed the fashion trend for tote bags.

Benefield is also aware of the health risk of using straps over one shoulder, as opposed to the support of a strap over each shoulder.

Yet, a tote bag is her fashionable choice.

“Tote bags can also be an excuse for girls who are more fashion forward, more label happy,” Benefield said. “Plus, I can put my life in there!”

Courtney Geiger is a fashionable senior. She adores accessories and has always been a handbag girl.

Geiger is without a doubt fashion forward. Today, her Burberry polka-dot pattern tote bag is matching her polka-dot print rain boots.

“I love the variety and style you can get from a tote bag,” Geiger said. “You can have it match your scarf or handbag.”

Senior Cece Wysong purchased a $75 leather Prada tote bag for style reasons. She used it for two weeks and began to feel immediate discomfort.

The course load she assumes requires many books and extra reading material.

“The stress on one side and my back was painful,” Wysong said. “I decided to switch back to my backpack and forget about the style.”

Kacy Dottere agrees that totes bags are more attractive. However, after two uncomfortable weeks of sporting one, she switched to her backpack.

“I tried a tote bag for looks and style, but it was heavier and longer on one side,” Dottere said. “In the long run, I’ve found the backpack to be more practical.”

Dr. Glenn Davis is a licensed chiropractor with an office located in Plano.

According to Davis, the effects of carrying a tote bag are more than just a strained shoulder or neck – the future effects can be detrimental.

“It is important for our body to stay in balance,” Davis said. “When the body is not balanced symmetrically, the equilibrium of the nervous system will get off balance and create muscular problems.”

Dr. Todd Peterson is the chiropractor for the SMU athletic department.

Peterson stresses that a woman is more prone to health issues and injuries because of her body shape. Naturally, a woman’s upper torso has more weight leverage.

“If a woman distributes more weight to one side, she is risking serious damage to her thoracic spine,” Peterson said. “Muscles contract, limbs go out of place and her chances of scoliotic curve damage increases.”

Davis and Peterson agree that a tote bag does not equally disburse weight to both sides, and the health implications can be hazardous.

Davis’ recommendations for the woman who cannot break the tote bag habit include never placing more than 10 pounds of weight inside the bag and alternating shoulders every hour.

Peterson rules out the tote bag completely and encourages women to strictly use backpacks.