Backpack Safety
It is that time of year again. The kids are getting ready for back to school. While you are preparing them for the year have you consided how they carry their backpack or how heavy they make it effects their posture? Are carrying heavy backpacks to school causing health problems for your child? Did you know, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), there are more than 6,500 emergency room visits each year by children ages 5-18 which stem from injuries related to heavy backpacks or book bag. Additional research further shows that by the end of their teen years, nearly 60 percent of children experience at least one low-back pain episode. Backpack loads are responsible for a significant amount of back pain in children, teens and college students.
What happens when not worn correctly? Most backpack problems happen when there is excessive weight, when the backpack doesn’t fit correctly and also when the backpack is not worn correctly. Your child should carry no more than 10-15% of their body weight in their backpack. When a heavy weight, like an overweight backpack, is put on the shoulder it causes the body to pull backwards. To compensate for this shift, the child oftentimes bends forward at the hips or arches their back which can cause the spine to compress unnaturally. Likewise, wearing a backpack on one shoulder may cause a child to lean to one side in order to compensate for the extra weight. When the backpack is not too heavy and worn correctly, weight is evenly distributed across the body so that the strongest muscles, the back and abdominal muscles support the weight of the backpack. Common Symptoms of Poor Backpack Loading or Carrying include neck pain, forward head posture (FHP), low back pain, headaches, poor posture, shoulder pain or stiffness.
Our doctors offer a complimentary backpack assessment to give recommendations and tips to ensure their backpack is safe, as well as ways to be proactive when it comes to the amount of weight your child carries to and from school every day to protect their spine and posture. If you or your child experiences any pain or discomfort resulting from backpack use, consider visiting a doctor of chiropractic (DC). In addition, DCs can also prescribe exercises designed to help children develop strong muscles, along with instruction in good nutrition, posture and sleeping habits.
If you or someone you know who is suffering from backpack discomfort or pain consider Chiropractic as one of your potential powerful options.
Schedule a chiropractic backpack assessment and adjustment today for relief!
Precision Chiropractic 425-868-9025
