A good backpack to protect your child’s back

August 23, 2021 Advice, Conseils, Uncategorized 0

It’s back to school ! Many children will return to school , their packpacks full of books and notebooks. The excitement of the moment should not make us forget that an ill-fitting or poorly filled backpack can lead to back pain.

For the start of the school year, we have your child’s back at heart! Here is a quick guide that will help you make sure your child is wearing their backpack correctly.

Fill a backpack correctly:

Even if your child ends up with a “ton” of homework, it’s important to make sure the weight of their backpack doesn’t exceed 10 to 15 percent of their 1 weight. The contents of the backpack should also be well distributed to prevent your child from feeling strain on the back, neck and shoulders. Teach your child how to fill it out correctly:

  • Place heavy items at the bottom, close to the body, and light or specially shaped items farther from the back.
  • The bag should contain only what it needs for the day or evening. The rest should be left at home.
Wearing the backpack correctly :

Young people want to be cool and be like the others. The backpack worn casually on one shoulder can look great, but can also have long-term consequences on the back and affect posture and gait. Show your child how to wear his bag correctly and explain the risks to his back of wearing it badly:

  • Make sure your child puts on the two straps of their backpack.
  • Wearing the backpack on one shoulder forces the child to lean to the side which, over time, can lead to a deflection of the spine.
  • Adjust the straps so that the bag rests firmly against your back. Too loose belts cause imbalance
Choosing the right backpack:

When buying a new backpack, bring your child with you. The American Chiropractic Association 3 recommends that the bag not drop lower than four inches below the waist. The size of the bag is not a sign of quality. Look for a bag that is suitable for your child’s size and that will ensure that he or she does not carry more than necessary. Exterior pockets can also be very handy for carrying specially shaped items. The straps should be adjustable and padded to prevent shoulder pain. The hip and chest straps also help transfer some of the weight of the pack to the hips and torso.

At the store, let your child try on different backpacks so they can choose the one that’s best for them. This will prevent back and shoulder tension4.

Beyond the backpack

To take care of your child’s back health even more during the school year, download the app Straighten Up Canada. This exercise program has adult and youth versions. To discuss preventing back pain in your child, you can also consultyour chiropractor

Consult your chiropractor

chiro1

” For a healthier world “

 

Sources:
1. Vancouver Island Health Authority, “Health & Safety tip #77: Backpack Ergonomics for Kids,” https://www.viha.ca/NR/rdonlyres/A0E2EB38-09DA-4B8F-A49A-98523E3D1F4A/0/77_backpack_erg_for_kids_sept10.pdf.
2. Illinois State Board of Education, Carrying Backpacks: Physical Effects, 2006. https://www.isbe.net/pdf/school_health/Carrying_Backpacks_Physical_Effects.pdf.
3. American Chiropractic Association, Backpack Misuse Leads to Chronic Back Pain, Doctors of Chiropractic Say, https://www.acatoday.org/content_css.cfm?CID=65.
4. Korovessis P1, Koureas G, Zacharatos S, Papazisis Z. Backpacks, back pain, sagittal spinal curves and trunk alignment in adolescents: a logistic and multinomial logistic analysis. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2005 Jan 15;30(2):247-55.