August 17, 2007 - Is Your Child's Backpack a PAIN? 10 Things Parents Should Know

Dear Friends of Chiropractic:

As the school year begins, millions of students will be swinging an overstuffed backpack over their shoulders rushing to get to their next class. But did you know exposing the spine to continual heavy loads could lead to postural problems? Over the years, reports have shown that more and more young children and teenagers are experiencing low back pain due to heavy backpack use.

Scientists have examined the serious effects heavy backpack use has on a child's spinal development. A team of researchers at Auburn University studied 421 students and found that backpacks carried with one-strap promoted lateral spinal bending and shoulder elevation. Additionally, they noted carrying a backpack promoted significant forward lean of the head and trunk. One survey reported that 70% of orthopedists agreed that heavy back packs can become a clinical problem in school-age children if not enough attention is made to decrease some of the weight being carried in the packs.

So what can you do? In an effort to prevent back problems from happening, we offer the following suggestions for students and parents.

5 Things To Look For When Choosing A Backpack

Look for backpacks with wide, padded shoulder straps. Narrow straps dig painfully into shoulders and can hinder circulation, causing numbness or tingling in the arms, which over time may cause weakness in the hands. Padded shoulder straps help absorb the load.
Look for backpacks with "S" shaped shoulder straps, which will ergonomically contour to your child's body.
Look for backpacks with a waist or chest strap. This will help keep the load close to the body and help maintain proper balance.
Make sure the backpack is not too heavy. For example, a canvas backpack will be lighter weight than leather.
Look for backpacks with a built in back support or lumbar pillow

5 Smart Ways To Use A Backpack

Make sure the weight of the book bag and its contents does not exceed more than 10% of the child's total body weight. This is especially important for children in grades 1-4.
Wear both shoulder straps. Slinging a backpack over one shoulder causes a person to lean to one side to compensate for the uneven weight, curving the spine. Over time, this can cause lower and upper back pain, strained shoulders and neck, and even functional scoliosis, or curvature of the spine. Teenage girls are especially susceptible to scoliosis.
Snug shoulder straps so the backpack stays close to your spine and doesn't strain the muscles between your shoulders.
Load the backpack with the heaviest items closest to the back.
The bottom of the backpack should rest in the curve of your lower back and the top touch just below the big knob on your neck.
If you have a young child, check their backpack to ensure that it isn't too heavy. You may also want to consider buying your child a wheeled backpack, which can take a tremendous amount of stress off his or her back. And of course, regular visits to your chiropractor can do a world of good, too!

References:

Pascoe DD; Pascoe DE; Shim DM; Kim CK Influence of carrying book bags on gait and posture of youths. Ergonomics 1997; 40(6): 631-41

Alexander CB. AAOS survey of physicians at Children's Memorial Hospital, Chicago, IL., and Alfred I. duPont Institute, Wilmington, Del. Am Acad Orthoped Su Bulletin 1999

Sander M. Weight of schoolbags in Freiburg elementary school. Recommendations to parents and teachers. Offentl Gesundheitswes 1979;41(5): 251-3

Pistolese RA. BackpacksÉYour Child's spine is at stake. ICPA Newsletter Nov/Dec 1998

We encourage you to share this article with your family, friends and co-workers. Please feel free to forward this newsletter to them via e-mail.

If you would like more information regarding Alliance Chiropractic, call us at 773-878-2660. We appreciate all your referrals!

Yours in Health,

Dr. Bernadine Reyes