We are all familiar with back pain: it is the number one cause of disability globally, and four out of five people will suffer from the condition at some point during their lifetimes. However, it often doesn’t occur to us that children can also experience pain in their backs. For adults, back pain typically arises from strains of the sedentary lifestyle: when driving or sitting in front of the desk, fluid doesn’t circulate through the discs of your spine. For kids, sitting can be problematic too, but the most obvious source of pain is the backpack.
Your son or daughter, unaware of the potential for child injuries, will be less concerned with the safety of a backpack’s design than with its superficial aspects: style, color, and theme. It’s up to you to make sure that the backpack is constructed in a way that makes injury unlikely. A heavy backpack can cause the spine to tilt backward. Use of a single shoulder strap can create curvature to the left or right side. Straps that have insufficient padding and/or breadth can cut off the circulation, leading to numbness and referred pain in the extremities. Excessively full backpacks can make it difficult to gauge distance, increasing the likelihood that your little one will trip and fall.
Prevent backpack injuries with proper selection and use
Simple guidelines to help you avoid backpack issues are offered by Ann Pietrangelo of Care2, using tips from the American Chiropractic Association and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center:
- You don’t want the backpack to extend beyond the torso either vertically or horizontally. It can go slightly below the waist, 4 inches maximum. To avoid child injuries, the contents should never weigh more than 1/10 of what your son or daughter weighs.
- The backpack should have two straps that are substantially cushioned and broad, along with a strap at the waist and back padding.
- The straps should be properly adjusted so they aren’t loose. Talk to your child about using both straps so they don’t experience backpack injuries.
- Instruct your child to place anything heavy (such as books) in the middle of the bag and to make use of all the pockets for weight distribution.
Curb chronic back pain
The above advice can help your child stay healthy and strong, but one additional element is essential: communication. During the first couple weeks of school, ask your child if they are experiencing any pain. If necessary, get a new backpack. If the problem persists, contact us at Weston Medical. As one of our patients reports in a Google review, “Excellent concern, treatment and care from all medical and support staff.” Get a free consultation today.
