It is not a secret that heavy backpacks for school children are the leading cause for back & shoulder pain, and bad posture. It is crucial that every child carries their backpacks properly in order to avoid pain.
Make sure the backpack is the right size for your child. The proper size is equal to 75% of your child’s back, meaning the space between the waste and the shoulder blades.
Here are some safety tips to avoid back, neck, and shoulder pain caused from backpacks:
-Wear both straps evenly to properly distribute the weight of the backpack.
-A child’s backpack weight should never exceed 15% of their body weight.
-The backpack should not extend below the lower back. Bigger is not better.
-Lighten the load by putting the heaviest items in the backpack first, so that they are closest to the body.
-Choose a quality backpack with wide well-cushioned shoulder straps with a lumbar support/padding.
-Never sling the backpack onto one shoulder and avoid swinging the backpack.
-Use the stabilizing waste strap if the backpack has one present.
