Backpack
Safety Quiz
| Nearly
5,000 emergency visits each year are the result
of preventable injuries related to backpacks. |
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How to Wear
Your Backpack for a Healthy Back
Backpacks continue to grow in popularity for hiking, camping, school,
work and traveling. Knowing how to wear and load your backpack can
help you and your children avoid back pain and injury. The majority
of injuries related to backpacks involve children lugging overloaded
backpacks to and from school; adults have their fair share of aches
and pains, too.
Take this fun
quiz to see how much you know and learn helpful tips for wearing
and loading a backpack.
Symptoms
of Low Back Pain
1.
What is the maximum weight you should carry in your backpack?
A.
No more than 5 to 10 percent of your body weight.
2.
What part of the body should support the weight of your backpack?
A. Your shoulders by the straps.
3.
When a backpack is too heavy the weight will cause you to begin
bending forward in an attempt to support the weight on what part
of your body?
A.
Your back rather than on the shoulders, by the straps.
4.
A backpack with individualized compartments will help you position
the contents most effectively to protect what?
A.
To ensure that a heavy textbook or laptop doesn't flatten your sandwich.
5.
To avoid rubbing or blisters where should pointy or bulky objects
be packed?
A.
Pack them away from the area that will rest on your back. An uneven
surface rubbing against your back could cause painful blisters.
6.
True or False: It doesn't matter whether you use one or both straps
when wearing your backpack.
A.
False. Always use both shoulder straps. A backpack slung over one
shoulder disproportionately shifts all of the weight to one side
can cause neck and muscle spasms, and low back pain.
7.
True or False: Padded shoulder straps are important. They are more
comfortable than non-padded straps and prevent the straps from digging
into your shoulders.
A.
True.
8.
When adjusting the shoulder straps how should the backpack fit your
body?
A.
The backpack should fit so the bulk of the weight is transferred
from the shoulders to the hips and lower back. Shoulder straps that
are too loose can cause the backpack to dangle uncomfortably, and
cause misalignment and pain.
9.
Who should you talk with if your child's books and supplies exceed
weight they can safely carry?
A.
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.
Congratulations!
We hope you've learned a few tips for yourself and your children.
Be sure to 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 later in life and as a result, your child
will be happier and healthier.
If you're still
not quite sure how to fit a backpack or would just like an expert
opinion, hands-on help is available through Pearson Chiropractic.
Bring your backpack in to get a FREE fitting during your next adjustment.
Schedule an appointment.
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