OrthoTote™ Creates Shoulder Strap Accessory to Address Women's and Children's Injuries Caused by Carrying Heavy Shoulder Bags

Inwood, New York (PRWeb) February 7, 2007 -- Brida Research, Inc. the manufacturer/distributor of the OrthoTote™, the shoulder strap accessory (http://www.orthotote.com), announced today that the OrthoTote™ shoulder strap accessory may provide relief from the orthopedic problems associated with carrying heavy shoulder luggage. This announcement comes at a propitious time for all wearers of shoulder-carried luggage such as tote bags, laptop and notebook cases, baby paraphernalia, camera and video equipment, and gym and fitness bags.

David Finkelstein, founder of Brida Research, Inc. and the inventor of the OrthoTote™ shoulder strap accessory said: "I invented the OrthoTote™ shoulder strap accessory to stop my bags from falling off my shoulder when I traveled, which the product does so well, it was awarded a seven point US Utility Patent. When I showed prototypes to family, friends, acquaintances and total strangers, I was amazed to hear that they had discovered a health benefit as well as the convenience and comfort that OrthoTote™ shoulder strap accessory affords. I was told repeatedly that neck, back and shoulder pain actually diminished."
                           
Women's fashionably large bags, in particular, have recently come under fire in a series of print, news and TV pieces decrying that women in particular are causing themselves serious orthopedic problems that may not surface till years later.

A January 23, 2007 radio interview on Health Times, a feature of WQXR FM, the Radio Station of the New York Times, focused on studies done on women and children who are battling neck and back problems from carrying heavy uneven bags. According to the doctor introduced by the station's afternoon news host Steve Powers, among women, the slim straps on fashionable large bags contribute to back and neck fatigue.

In a recent study by the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) the only suggested remedies for these types of injuries were the use of anti-inflammatories, rotating bags of different sizes and weights, and rest. William Case, a physical therapist in private practice in Houston, Texas, said an aggravated neck or shoulder can lead to upper back problems, meaning pain may then be felt while working at a computer or playing sports. He urged designers "to place a cute, educational caution tag on all bags to inform of potential neck and shoulder dangers."

When Finkelstein brought the OrthoTote™ shoulder strap accessory to Dr. Harvey Klein, a noted orthopedic surgeon and pain management specialist, for a professional evaluation of the health benefits, Dr. Klein wrote: "I recommend the OrthoTote™ shoulder strap accessory as an inexpensive, proactive approach to preventing orthopedic injuries to the shoulder, neck and back for those who need to carry heavy objects on their shoulders."

In a January 17, TV spot on Washington, DC's FOX 5 APTA member Patrice Winter, PT, MPT, MS, FAAOMPT addressed the issue of poor body mechanics and compromised posture. Above all, Case recommended correct posture while carrying bulky purses, keeping the head and shoulders aligned upright. Finkelstein said "It was like Dr. Klein was prophetic; he stated in his letter that the OrthoTote™ shoulder strap accessory allows a person 'to stand and walk in correct anatomical alignment, thereby reducing or eliminating the occurrence of orthopedic problems.'"

Brian Nadata, Director of Operations for Brida Research said: "People look at our innocent looking shoulder strap accessory that retails for only $13.95. I mean it weighs only 2.3 ozs., about the weight of a couple of candy bars, yet it can keep a loaded laptop case on your shoulder, comfortably and without slipping. They don't realize that it was painstakingly engineered, to do this. We actually went through 24 prototypes till we established the right blend of comfort and utility. We're really proud of earning Dr. Klein's endorsement, and we know from first hand experience that the OrthoTote™ shoulder strap accessory really makes a difference.

Finkelstein said that in order to make the product available to as wide an audience as possible, Brida Research, Inc. imported an inexpensive high quality adjustable replacement shoulder strap called the OrthoTote™ Universal Replacement Strap. It attaches to the "D" rings of any bag, and is engineered to be a precise fit for the OrthoTote. "All those people with bags in the back of their closet can get real utility from them. Now they can stop them from falling off their shoulders and at the same time do their bodies some good with the combination of OrthoTote™ shoulder strap accessory and the OrthoTote™ Universal Replacement Strap."

Nadata said while Brida doesn't yet have a market-ready shoulder strap accessory for women's bags, the project is on the drawing board along with a product specific to golf bags.

OrthoTote™ is currently in use by thousands of consumers all over America, and has been featured in The Herrington Catalog, QVC, Amazon.com, and others. Links to retail merchants and to Spiro Distributors (http://www.spirodistributors.com), the largest online distributor of the OrthoTote™ product line can be found on the OrthoTote™ website (http://www.orthotote.com). The full text of Dr. Klein's letter can be found at http://www.orthotote.com/doctor.htm. Brian Nadata and David Finkelstein can be reached for comment at the Brida Research corporate office at 1 + 877-49/ORTHO (1 + 877 496-7846).

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