It’s that time of year again that parents rejoice and the kids regret– back to school! But the parents need to do some of their own studying first. Believe it or not, backpacks can cause serious injury in kids and adults, so inspect little Johnny’s backpack before sending him off. In a new and disturbing trend, young children are suffering from back pain much earlier than previous generations, and the use of overweight backpacks is a contributing factor, according to the American Chiropractic Association (ACA). Doctors and physical therapists recommend that kids carry no more than 10% to 15% of their body weight in their packs.
In choosing a backpack for your child, National Safety Council suggests:
- An ergonomic design
- The correct size: never wider or longer than your child’s torso and never hanging more than 4 inches below the waist
- Padded back and shoulder straps
- Hip and chest belts to help transfer some of the weight to the hips and torso
- Multiple compartments to better distribute the weight
- Compression straps on the sides or bottom to stabilize the contents
- Reflective material for safety
If you or your child experiences any pain or discomfort resulting from backpack use, contact us today.
Yours in health,
M. Zuber, D.C., Frisco’s Sports Chiropractor
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