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Peoria. Health. Blog.

Back To School, Back to Backpacks

8/9/2012

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A child with a backpack
As children all around Peoria and Central Illinois get ready to go back to school, this is an important time to remind all parents about the dangers of heavy backpacks. Even with the advent of technology such as laptops and tablet computers, children are still carrying more (and heavier!) books from class to class. And they still need pencils, pens, rulers, workbooks, folders, and dozens of other supplies on a daily basis.

Backpack safety is an important issue for children, who are still growing. Even if your child's backpack feels light to you, it will proportionately heavier for him or her. A recent Italian study found, according to the American Chiropractic Association (ACA), "that the average child carries a backpack that would be the equivalent of a 39-pound burden for a 176-pound man, or a 29-pound load for a 132-pound woman. Of those children carrying heavy backpacks to school, 60 percent had experienced back pain as a result."

To reduce the impact of heavy backpacks on your child's health, here are nine important tips from the ACA:

  • Make sure your child's backpack weighs no more than 5 to 10 percent of his or her body weight. A heavier backpack will cause your child to bend forward in an attempt to support the weight on his or her back, rather than on the shoulders, by the straps.
  • 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.
  • If the backpack is still too heavy, talk to your child's teacher. Ask if your child could leave the heaviest books at school, and bring home only lighter hand-out materials or workbooks.
  • Although the use of rollerpacks - or backpacks on wheels - has become popular in recent years, the ACA is now recommending that they be used cautiously and on a limited basis by only those students who are not physically able to carry a backpack. Some school districts have begun banning the use of rollerpacks because they clutter hallways, resulting in dangerous trips and falls.

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    Disclaimer

    Unless otherwise attributed, all content is written by Kyle Johnson, DC, of Johnson Family Chiropractic of Peoria.

    All images used are under Creative Commons license.

    Although every effort has been made to provide an accurate description of our chiropractic care and its benefits, the information given on this website and blog is not intended to be, nor should it be interpreted as, medical advice for any condition.

    If you have any questions regarding your condition, you should seek the help of Dr. Johnson in person, so that he may properly assess your condition.

    This blog is provided by Johnson Family Chiropractic of Peoria, S.C., proudly located in Peoria, IL.
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  • home
  • services
    • activator methods
    • webster technique
    • spinal decompression
    • consultations
    • x-ray
    • other therapies
  • conditions
    • headaches >
      • migraines
    • neck pain >
      • jaw pain
      • pinched nerve
      • text neck
      • torticollis
      • upper crossed syndrome
      • whiplash >
        • car accident
    • arm pain >
      • shoulder pain
      • elbow pain
      • wrist & hand pain
    • back pain >
      • low back pain
      • mid back pain
      • disc problems >
        • degenerative disc disease
        • disc herniation
      • scoliosis
    • hip pain >
      • piriformis syndrome
    • leg pain >
      • sciatica
      • knee pain
      • foot & ankle pain >
        • plantar fasciitis
        • sprained ankle
    • women's health >
      • back pain during pregnancy
      • fibromyalgia
    • children's health >
      • ear infections
      • chronic strep throat
      • congenital torticollis
    • other conditions >
      • asthma
      • Diarrhea
      • high blood pressure
  • what to expect
    • what is chiropractic?
    • insurance
    • download forms
    • for medical doctors
    • links
  • hours
  • find us
    • locate us
    • contact us
  • about us
    • meet the doctor
    • FAQ
    • patient testimonials
  • blog