Backpack Safety

Many adults don’t associate back pain with common childhood ailments, but with 60% of students complaining of back aches throughout the school year, it is a trend worth recognizing. Studies have shown that children are suffering from back pain much earlier than previous generations, and many believe that overweight back packs are the main culprit.

                The longer a child carries an overweight back pack, the more difficult it will be to correct any issues with the spine. Children who carry their backpacks over just one shoulder may also experience neck pain and shoulder strain as a result. Overweight back packs can also cause poor posture, and narrow straps can dig into the shoulders, causing nerve and circulatory issues.

 

Our Back Pack Safety Tips:

• Limit the weight of the back pack from anywhere between 5-15% of the child’s bodyweight.
• Use a back pack with multiple compartments. This will allow for a better distribution of the weight, helping avoid unwanted strain.
• Use a bag with wide, padded shoulder straps. Encourage your child to wear both straps when carrying the bag.
• If possible, find a bag with a padded back for increased comfort.
• Make sure the bag is fitted properly on your child. It should fitted close to the body and rest evenly in the middle of the back. It should not go more than four inches below the waistline.
• Avoid carrying unnecessary items in the back pack.

 

                If you have any questions or concerns regarding back pack safety for your child, give our office a call! We would happy to help ensure that your child’s bag fits properly and go over all the safety tips that can help prevent back pain and issues down the road. We will also provide a FREE scoliosis screening for your child before they head back to school!

Excel Chiropractic

1610 S Minnesota Ave, Ste 1
Sioux Falls, SD 57105
605-332-9235