Health Library

May is Correct Posture Month. In a May 6, 2004, Yahoo news release, a story from the American Chiropractic Association (ACA) proclaims May as Correct Posture Month. The article notes that a new study published in the journal Spine revealed an urgent need for health promotion programs to increase awareness and reduce risks in the school environment, such as heavy backpacks, desks and chairs that don’t fit their users, and a lack of physical activity during recess.

During Correct Posture Month, the ACA is urging school administrators, teachers, and parent organizations to closely examine these unexpected dangers in our schools. Parents and schools need to become more aware of the risks associated with heavy backpacks, improper computer ergonomics, and physical inactivity.

The article listed a series of recommendations related to posture in several different categories:

• Make sure your child’s backpack weighs no more than 10 percent of his or her bodyweight. A backpack should never hang more than four inches below the waistline.
• Ensure your child’s workstation chair fits him or her correctly. Limit your child’s time at the computer and ensure they take periodic breaks during computing time.
• Children should participate in at least 30 minutes of physical activity each day.
• Make sure your kids are getting plenty of rest.

The release noted that young children are experiencing back pain much earlier than previous generations, with overweight backpacks as a contributing factor. It also noted that at least 70 percent of America’s 30 million elementary school students use computers, according to a recent New York Times article. As a result, many children are already suffering from chronic pain in the hands, back, neck, and shoulders, as well as repetitive motion injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome.

The release also recommends chiropractic care for children, noting that a doctor of chiropractic can offer advice on lifestyle changes to help keep children fit and healthy.