It’s Back to School! The excitement of new teachers, new friends, perhaps even new schools, and a class schedule full of education opportunities: what’s not to look forward to? Well, possibly, it could be one of the most essential items on your back-to-school list, your child’s backpack. This blog will help address common issues from backpacks and how you can resolve them.
According to the American Chiropractic Association (ACA), there has been a developing trend of back, neck, and shoulder issues in children of all ages, which are due, in large part, to the daily use of a school backpack. However, with many schools removing lockers, many students must use a backpack, leaving parents and students sometimes struggling for answers.
First and foremost, not all backpacks are not equal, even if they are super cute or trendy in style. An ill-fitting backpack can actually exacerbate posture issues, creating a myriad of health issues. A poorly designed or manufactured backpack that doesn’t properly distribute the weight of heavy books often means the contents settle to the bottom, pulling backward on the wearer.
The result is that children are often seen leaning forward to balance the weight they are carrying. Look for a backpack that suits the size of your child’s frame. Generally, try to find a backpack where the bottom never hangs more than four inches below your child’s waist.
Finding a backpack that has multiple compartments can also be vital in distributing weight. A bag with one zipper and one main pocket will mean that the contents pool in one place: the bottom. This also results in kids pulling their weight forward to balance out the backpack, but they often do this while slinging the bag over only one shoulder. This can contribute to tingling hands or fingers if the narrow straps dig into one shoulder, affect blood flow, or push against nerves.
See also: How Stress Affects Kids
After the first week of school, weigh your child’s backpack. A good rule of thumb is that it shouldn’t be more than 5-10% of their total body weight. If you find that it’s heavier, take a look at their schedule see if there are items in that bag that can be removed on certain days and swapped out. Kids tend to ‘kitchen sink’ their bags and throw everything they need for the week in at once. While it’s great they want to be prepared, use this as an opportunity to support their back and improve their planning and organizational skills.
Of course, in addition to the push and pull of a heavy backpack, your child might also be spending a lot more time hunched over different screens at home and school. This will contribute to poor spinal health and can cause your student even more health issues. Having regular pediatric chiropractic appoints where a skilled chiropractor is watching for those tell-tale signs of health issues arising from poor posture or the use of heavy backpacks can not only resolve any issues but also help prevent them.
Need a backpack check? Bring it in for your next adjustment and we will happily check it over for you. Set up a time to come see us by calling the office at 262-796-5108.
