Back injury from the improper use of a backpack may occur over time. Pay attention to your child’s complaints.
Notice if your child:
- Struggles to get the backpack on or off
- Complains of back or shoulder pain
- Leans forward to carry the backpack
- Complains of back pain, numbness, or weakness in the arms or legs
- Has red marks on their shoulders
There are also several stretches you can do to strengthen muscles both before and after carrying a backpack all day.
If your child complains of back pain or numbness or weakness in the arms or legs, consult your chiropractor or physical therapist.
Dr. Timothy Nelson, DC, Doctor of Chiropractic
Heritage Health
www.heritagehealth.net
(303) 694-1245
Help them lighten their load by encouraging your child to leave books they don’t need in their lockers. Encourage them to use their lockers throughout the day instead of carrying their entire day’s worth of books in the backpack to all their classes.
You can also teach children to lift their backpack properly to avoid back injuries. As with any heavy weighted object, they should bend at the knees and grab the pack with both hands to lift to their shoulders.
Many backpacks today have several compartments – use all of them to help distribute weight throughout the pack. Teach kids to put heavier items, such as textbooks, close to the center of the pack and closest to their back (the back of the pack). Try to arrange items so they don’t slide around in the pack.
Finally, encourage your child to use both shoulder straps rather than one. Wearing the pack over one shoulder can cause the child to lean to one side, curving the spine and causing pain or discomfort. The leaning can also lead to poor posture.
Dr. Timothy Nelson, DC, Doctor of Chiropractic
Heritage Health
www.heritagehealth.net
(303) 694-1245
