Backpack Misuse can Cause Chronic Back Pain

Don’t let a simple and much loved tradition of picking out your child’s backpack turn into chronic pain. Unfortunately, a new trend is rising – back pain among young children due to overweight backpacks. While the latest styles may be on kids’ minds, it’s important to be on the lookout for proper fit, correct size and of course complaints of discomfort from youngsters. Most importantly what and how they carry what’s in their backpacks could be a contributing factor that could lead to back, neck and shoulder pain.

“I never thought my kids would sustain an injury just from carrying their backpacks, but that is exactly what happened last year,” says Paula Hobson. “This year we chose wisely and pack items strategically so as to cause less strain on their back and shoulders. Plus, regular visits to our family chiropractor helps keep them in check.”

Many school districts even remove lockers from schools resulting in students carrying their books with them all day long. In the past the California State Assembly passed legislation that would force school districts to develop ways of reducing the weight of students’ backpacks. Even the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that backpack-related injuries sent more than 7,000 people to the emergency room in 2001 alone. Chiropractors across Massachusetts say this trend is not surprising given the way kids wear their backpacks and the weight differential between kids and their belongings.

“Every year it seems kids backpacks get heavier and heavier, say Dr. Patricia Giuliano of Westwood Family Chiropractic. “And every year we see children in our practice with spinal issues due to heavy or improperly worn backpacks. Many of these problems can be prevented by checking fit and size for your child. We also suggest having spines checked periodically by a chiropractor.”

The Massachusetts Chiropractic Society is offering some tips and guidance for backpack safety this back to school season.

· Limit the backpack’s weight to no more than 5 to 10 percent of the child’s body weight. A heavier backpack will cause the child to bend forward in an attempt to support the weight on his or her back. For example a 50-pound child should not carry more than 5 pounds.

· The backpack should never hang more than four inches below the waistline. A backpack that hangs too low increases the weight on the shoulders, causing your child to lean forward when walking.

· A backpack with individualized compartments helps in positioning the contents most effectively. Make sure that pointy or bulky objects are packed away from the area that will rest on your child’s back.

· Bigger is not necessarily better. The more room there is in a backpack, the more your child will carry and the heavier the backpack will be.

· Urge your child to wear both shoulder straps. Lugging the backpack around by one strap can cause the disproportionate shift of weight to one side, leading to neck and muscle spasms, as well as low-back pain.

· Wide, padded straps are very important. Non-padded straps are uncomfortable, and can dig into your child’s shoulders.

· The shoulder straps should be adjustable so the backpack can be fitted to your child’s body. Straps that are too loose can cause the backpack to dangle uncomfortably and cause spinal misalignment and pain.

· Use backpacks on wheels or rollerpacks with caution. Children tend to overload these bags and then need to haul them up bus and school stairs resulting in injury. Many school districts have banned them because they clutter hallways resulting in dangerous trips and falls.

· Investigate some ergonomically correct back