It’s that time of year again; kids are heading back to school. They will be loading up with books, pens, pencils, notebooks, folders, a cell phone, iPod, lunch and whatever else kids carry around nowadays, in backpacks bigger than they are. Sometimes kids’ backpacks look so heavy that the wind might just blow them right over.
According to the American Chiropractic Association or ACA, young children suffer from back pain at a much earlier age than previous generations. The use of weighty backpacks is a contributing factor. “In my own practice, I have noticed a marked increase in the number of young children who are complaining about back, neck and shoulder pain,” said Dr. Scott Bautch, a member of the ACA’s Council on Occupational Health. “The first question I ask these patients is, ‘Do you carry a backpack to school?’ Almost always, the answer is ‘yes.’”
Carrying this amount of weight can cause a child to hyperextend his/her back, or lean the head and trunk forward to compensate for the weight of the bag. A rounding of the shoulders could also result if a back has to compensate for a heavy load. These postures can stress the muscles in the neck and back, increasing the risk of injury. Over time this can cause irritation to the joints of the spine and the rib cage.
There are methods for preventing postural problems associated with toting a heavy backpack. The first, and most important, is to limit the weight. The American Physical Therapy Association recommends that children carry backpacks of no more than 15 percent of their body weight – less than that is even better.
Here are some tips to keep in mind when searching for the perfect backpack for your little Einstein:
- Choose a backpack with two wide-padded shoulder straps.
- The shoulder straps should be adjustable so the backpack can be fitted to your child’s body. As the child grows, the pack can be adjusted accordingly.
- The backpack should never hang more than four inches below the waistline. A low hanging pack increases pressure on the shoulders, causing your child to lean forward when walking.
- Make sure your child’s backpack weights no more than 5 to 10 percent of his or her body weight.
If your child experiences back pain, call your chiropractor. The doctor can diagnose whether a heavy backpack is the root of the problem and recommend a custom tailored treatment to getting back your child to a pain-free, lightweight backpack life.
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WOW. I never thought twice about the backpack my kids are carrying. After reading this article I walked over to pick up my kids backpack and I was shocked. It had to weigh over ten pounds! Thanks for the warning!