If you take a moment to look into your child’s backpack, you may find a couple of textbooks, a notebook, gym clothes, lunch etc. It all adds up to back strain. Kid’s today carry heavy school loads and these equal heavy back loads.
Although the packs may be too heavy, your child may be reluctant to fore go the convenience offered by them. Children often travel a distance to school, then between classes with little time to unload and reload again at their lockers.
Photo credit: backpack-with-wheels.com
Dr. Russell Windsor, M.D., an orthopedic surgeon says,”We are seeing students in fourth and fifth grade who are complaining about backaches, fatigue and physical stress. They just don’t have the body strength to remain erect under these very substantial loads, and it puts their skeletons under substantial duress.” ” Children are carrying far too much weight in their backpacks and improperly; slung over one shoulder. “We are concerned that the damage the is inflicted now will be showing up 30 years later in even more serious back injuries.”
Guidelines created by The Canadian Chiropractic Association states that students should carry no more than 10% of their body weight in a back pack. Although backpacks slung over one shoulder may be fashionable, this posture puts further stress on the back and spinal cord.
Children should support the pack with both padded shoulder straps to balance the weight and prevent shoulder, neck and back problems. Better yet, give your children a backpack with wheels… they look cool, hold a ton of stuff, reduce and often eliminate neck and back pain and strain!