| |
Backpacks
& Your Kids
 New
research reveals an alarming danger associated with childhood back
pack use. It is estimated that almost 5,000 emergency visits each
year are the result of preventable injuries related to backpacks.
Getting back
to school can be "back breaking" work. Don't let a heavy
backpack ruin your child's day.
What Can
You Do?
The American Chiropractic Association, its Council on Occupational
Health and your local doctor of chiropractic offer the following
tips to help prevent the needless pain an over stuffed backpack
could cause the student in your household.
And now that
backpacks have begun to replace briefcases in the work place, you
too, might want to follow this advice:
- Make sure
your child's backpack weighs no more than 5 to 10 percent of his
or her body weight; the backpack will cause your child to begin
bending forward in an attempt to support the weight on his or
her back rather than on the shoulders, by the straps.
- A backpack
with individualized compartments will help you position the contents
most effectively and ensure that your child's sandwich isn't flattened
by a heavy textbook.
- When packing
the backpack, make sure that pointy or bulky objects are packed
away from the area that will rest on the child's back. An uneven
surface rubbing against your child's back could cause painful
blisters.
- Tell your
child to use both shoulder straps, not just one. A backpack slung
over one shoulder disproportionately shifts all of the weight
to one side, and can cause not only neck and muscle spasms, but
also low back pain.
- Padded shoulder
straps are very important. Not only will they be more comfortable
than non-padded straps, but they will also help prevent the straps
from digging into your child's shoulders.
- The shoulder
straps should be adjustable, so the backpack can be fitted to
your child's body. Shoulder straps that are too loose can cause
the backpack to dangle uncomfortably, and cause misalignment and
pain.
- If the backpack
is still too heavy, talk with your child's teacher. It might be
possible to leave the heaviest books at school, and bring home
only lighter handout materials or work books.
- Talk to your
child about the proper use of backpacks and help him or her understand
why this and other ergonomic issues are important. A child who
is educated early in life on these issues can apply this knowledge
late in life (at home or in the office) and as a result, your
child will be happier and healthier.
Bring your school
age children and their backpacks in during August or September for
FREE backpack
safety checks and "back to school" back checks at
no charge.
Return
to Main Articles Page
|
