As summer begins to come to a close, it is time for our children to start thinking about heading back to school. With this season comes back to school shopping – picking out school supplies and maybe a few new outfits for the new school year. Unfortunately, there are a few things that your child may pick up that you’re definitely not budgeting for, like poor posture and neck/back pain as a result of an overloaded backpack. It is estimated that more than 96% of children will be carrying a backpack to school this year. It is also estimated that nearly one third of them will likely carry that backpack improperly, opening the door for various musculoskeletal issues. To ensure that your child’s backpack is not putting their spinal health at risk, follow these easy tips for safe backpack use:

1. Personalize the fit – There are many different sized backpacks designed to fit children of all sizes. A child just starting 4K should not be wearing a backpack designed for an adult and vice versa.
2. Follow the “Rule of Two’s
   • Wear the backpack on TWO shoulders.
   • Straps should be at least TWO inches thick.
   • The bottom of the backpack should not fall more than TWO inches below the child’s waist.
3. Properly distribute the weight of your child’s backpack by putting the heaviest items closest to the spine.
4. Your child’s backpack should not weigh more than 10-15% of their bodyweight. If you’re unsure, pull out a scale and weigh it.
5. If your child’s backpack is excessively heavy, make sure that they practice proper lifting techniques to avoid injury

By following these 5 simple steps, your child will be better protected from backpack-related spinal discomfort. If you are unsure as to whether or not your child’s backpack is right for them, feel free to bring it in and have one of our doctors check it out. Let’s have a great school year!

© Lakeland Chiropractic, LLC.
Privacy Policy