Back to School & Backpacks

It seems crazy to even write this, but it’s already back to school time. Kids might dread the actual going back to school part, but they get excited about buying new clothes, lunch boxes and backpacks. You might not care if your child selects a Transformers or Batman lunch box, but you should pay close attention when it comes to the backpack.Many times I’ve noticed kids in my neighborhood stepping off the bus with what looks like more than their own weight shoved in their backpacks. Every year the number of younger patients I see who are complaining of neck and back pain increases. Here are a few tips to help you select a backpack:

• Choose a backpack that has wide cushioned straps, which will evenly distribute the weight on their shoulder. A backpack with a waist strap also helps stabilize the load by not allowing the pack to flop around.
• Make sure the backpack fits properly. The straps should not be so tight that the pack goes above the collar line and the pack should not be wider than the shoulders. It should also be adjusted tightly enough so that it does not hang more than four inches below the belt line.
• The weight of the loaded backpack should not be more than 15 percent of the body weight of the person wearing it, particularly with small children. Also, students should pack the heaviest objects first so that they are carried lower and closer to the body.
• It is important to make sure you are wearing the pack correctly. Use both straps and make sure they are snug. If there is a waist strap, use it. Don’t sling the backpack over one shoulder. Messenger style bags, which get slung over one shoulder, should be rotated so that they’re not being carried over the same shoulder all the time.

You should look for some the following warning signs that your child’s backpack may be causing a problem:

• The child cannot take his backpack off or put it on without struggling
• The child has to lean forward to carry his bag
• The child has numbness or weakness in the arms and legs
• The child has one shoulder that is higher than the other.

If you’d like to make an appointment so I can check to see if your child is wearing his backpack correctly, please give us a call at the office.