It’s back to school and back to backpacks! Many things can lead to back pain in children, such as playing sport or poor posture. But some kids have back pain because of what they’re lugging around in their backpacks everyday!
According to our Southend chiropractor, children should not carry more than 10% to 15% of their body weight in their school bags.
Backpacks come in all sizes, colours, fabrics, and shapes and help kids of all ages express their own personal sense of style. However, it is important that the backpack is safe for them.
Here are some other great tips to ensure your child stays safe when carrying their backpack this school term:
Always ensure your child uses both shoulder straps and that they wear the backpack on their back rather than over one shoulder.
Pack the largest and heaviest objects first so that they are carried lower and closest to the body.
Fill available compartments so that the load is evenly distributed throughout the backpack and items do not shift when your child moves around.
Adjust the straps so that the backpack fits snugly to your child’s body, holding the bottom of the backpack two inches above the waist and keeping the top just below the base of the skull.
Make sure your child lifts their backpack by using their leg muscles and keeping it close to their body, rather than bending over with extended arms.
If your child wears their back pack correctly, the weight will be evenly distributed across their body, and they will be less likely to experience shoulder and neck injuries than if they carry a one shoulder bag. And of course, when they’re used properly, they’re incredibly handy!
By being aware of the advice in this article, you can help to make a big difference to the health of your child’s spine!
Our team of chiropractors at Cliffs Chiropractor Southend are experienced in treating children of all ages. If you have any concerns about your child’s back or spine then our chiropractors are here to help you. You can call us on 01702 430 430 to make an appointment with one of our chiropractors.