Overfilled backpacks may seem harmless, but the weight can cause painful back and neck problems for children who don’t carry them properly. This can result in sore backs and shoulders, muscle strain, numbness, and poor posture at a time when children are experiencing physical growth as well as motor and spinal development.
Tips for purchasing the correct back pack:
When purchasing a new back pack, you should look for:
- Wide adjustable straps with padding that do not cut into your child’s arms or armpits.
- Chest and waist strap.
- A padded back with many compartments to evenly distribute the weight.
- A lightweight backpack which is the same length as your child’s torso, sits no higher than the top of their shoulders and no lower than the top of their hip bone.
How to pack your back pack:
The key to a comfortable backpack is a balanced load. The weight should be centred
and close to your child’s body so that your bag isn’t pulling back on their shoulders.
Pack heavyitems for example, a laptop in the middle of
the backpack. Keep them as close to the body as possible.
Pack medium-weightitems like around the heavy items in
the top half of the backpack.
Use them to fill out your pack and give structure.
Pack light-weightitems at the bottom of the backpack.
They should be packed densely enough that the heavy items
don’t compress them and sink down in bag.
The long-term effects of carrying a heavy backpack:
The long-term effects of a carrying a heavy backpack that your child may experience include:
- Strained neck and shoulder, leading to headaches
- Injury to the spine
- Reduce breathing capacity due to poor posture
- Back pain
- Muscle spasms
How can Chiropractic help?
The good news is that back pain due to overloaded backpacks is usually temporary.
However, over time it can cause structural or long-term damage to the spine.
Chiropractic care has been proven to be effective, and can restore correct function and
relieve pain symptoms, associated with the carrying of heavy backpacks.
DID YOU KNOW…
All children 12 years old and under receive a complimentary initial consultation and examination.
References:
http://www.hobartchiropractic.com.au/announcements/school-bags
https://chiropractors.asn.au/resources/health-education/back-pack-tips
https://www.spine-health.com/wellness/ergonomics/tips-prevent-back-pain-kids-backpacks
https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/back-pain-children
https://www.epainassist.com/back-pain/back-pain-due-to-backpack
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