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Home  Feature Articles Backpacks Don’t Have to Equal Back Pain
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Backpacks Don’t Have to Equal Back Pain |
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Monday, 31 July 2006 |
The next time your child loads his or her backpack and slings it over one shoulder, consider this—carrying overweight backpacks to school can contribute to back and neck problems with symptoms that show up years later.
“Many times parents don’t realize how heavy their children’s books are and the impact that weight has on their backs,” says Jill Fenimore, physical therapist at Piedmont Fayette Hospital.
With the ever-increasing school workload, children are carrying around more and more books—books that are extremely heavy and cumbersome.
“Urge your children to take full advantage of their lockers and transport only those books and supplies that they need,” Fenimore says. “I recommend that parents consider buying two sets of books and keep one set at home so their children don’t have to carry so many books back and forth from school to home.”
Some schools are now offering Compact Disc (CD) versions of textbooks and workbooks. Ask your child’s teacher if CDs are available.
Good habits instilled at an early age can go a long way toward preventing back problems. Lighten your child’s load by following these easy tips:
Look for a backpack with padded shoulder straps and individualized compartments for maximum comfort and ergonomics.
Make sure your child uses both shoulder straps to evenly distribute the weight across the back. Be sure to adjust the straps to the proper length for your child’s height.
Try to make sure that the backpack weighs no more than five to 10 percent of your child’s body weight to alleviate stress on the back.
When packing the backpack, make sure that pointy or bulky objects are packed in the front of the backpack (away from the back). Heavy items should be arranged at the bottom of the backpack.
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