Backpack safety

Would it shock you to learn that backpack misuse leads to chronic back pain and discomfort? And no, I’m not being melodramatic either. With one or two months of school still left in the school year, I wanted to rush out this story. This has developed into quite a problem. It seems that our kids backpacks have gotten bigger and heavier over the years. When we were kids, we had a folder and maybe two books. Today the kids have their Game Boy, iPod, three school books, their music book (and maybe instrument!), their soccer clothes to change into, their cleats, study folder, designer lunch pail, etc., all crammed into a bigger, bulging backpack. This is becoming a real problem. Ask any parent and they will freely admit that their kids are massively “overscheduled” compared to when they were kids. This has naturally led to bigger backpacks, crammed with all the essentials for all these extra curricular activities that our kids are involved in these days. (Sheesh, am I starting to sound old or what?) In my own practice and those of my peers, we have all noticed a marked increase in the number of young children coming to use who complain of back, neck and shoulder pain. This never used to happen. Today when I see a child whose complaining of these pains, the first question I ask is, 'Do you carry a backpack to school?' That is often the cause of their pain, because of the sheer weight of them and what it can do to a young body.

Here’s the facts: According to an article from the American Chiropractic Association titled, "Backpack Misuse Leads to Chronic Back Pain", this new back pain trend among youngsters isn't surprising when you consider the disproportionate amounts of weight they carry in their backpacks - often slung over just one shoulder. According to Dr. Bautch, a recent study conducted in Italy found 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! The solution is to reduce the burden, only carry the essentials, and look out for the health of your child’s back by making sure they’re not carrying the equivalent of a 39-pound burden on their little frames. Also, I suggest THROWING OUT your giant oversized backpack (which just BEGS to be stuffed to the rafters with sheer volumes of stuff) and instead purchase a smaller backpack – and just dealing with new smaller size restrictions. Finally, make sure your child’s backpack doesn’t hang more than four inches below the waistline. A backpack that hangs too low increases the weight on the shoulders. Click on the video below to learn about the ABC's of backpack safety.