Livingston Chiropractic's Tips For Children Wearing Backpacks

In the past, back pain used to be the problem with the adults only. But now a really disturbing and worrying trend has emerged, our young children are suffering from this problem much earlier in comparison to the previous generations. According to the research done by American Chiropractic Association (ACA), the use of overweight backpacks is the main contributor. According to U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, the book bags or back carriers were the main cause of over 6,500 injuries in year 2000 alone.

During last 10 years, Chiropractic profession has witnessed a sharp increase in such cases where young children are suffering from back, neck and shoulder pain. This is surprising looking at the heavy loads they carry in their backpacks which is often just slung over on one shoulder only. A study conducted in Italy in 2002 proved that children carry backpacks that are disproportionate to their weight which would be equivalent of a 39 pound load for a 176 pound man or a 29 pound weight for a 132 pound woman. 60% of the children, who carry heavy backpacks to school, have complained about back pain. According to studies of the spine in scoliosis patients, the sling backpacks over single shoulder can aggravate the curvature of the spine.

According to studies conducted by ACA, it takes longer for a curvature or deformity of the spine to correct itself in the cases where a child carries backpack. Now the question arises that, will it ever come back to normal?
The results of these studies have become critical in the light of the fact that more and more schools districts are removing lockers from school premises, that leaves no choice to students and they need to carry their books all the time.

How can you help?

· A heavy backpack means the child has to bend forward in an effort to support the weight on the back instead of shoulders. You should ensure that your child is not carrying a weight which is not more than 5-10% of his/her body weight.

· Make sure that backpack doesn't hang more than four inches below the waistline of your child. A backpack which is hanged too low results in increasing the weight on the shoulders, as a result your child has to bend forward while walking.

· Prefer the backpack with the separate compartments; this will help in keeping the contents more efficiently. Manage the objects in such a way that bulky objects do not rest on your child's back.

· It would be better if your child's backpack is not oversized. The bigger the backpack is, the bigger the load will be which means your child carries heavier backpack.

· Carrying a backpack by one strap results in uneven shift of weight to one side, which might lead to neck and muscle spasms and low-back pain. Make sure that your child wears both shoulder straps.

· While buying a backpack, make sure that the straps are wide and padded. Non-padded straps are not only uncomfortable but they dig into your child's shoulders as well.

· The backpacks should be fitted to your child's body. If the straps of the bag are loose, it can result in backpack to swing uncomfortably and can cause deformity in spinal alignment and pain. Make sure that shoulder straps are properly adjusted.

· You may speak to your Child's teacher in case the backpack is too heavy. You child could leave heavier books at school and bring home the lighter books or notebooks