With tons of textbooks and notebooks loaded into today's school backpacks, are you aware of some of the most common backpack problems? Hikers and outdoor guides spend hours in the outfitter store trying on all sorts of high-tech backpack gear just to get the right fit and weight distribution.
How much time have you spent thinking about the load and stress on your child's back and shoulders? A bag full of books, binders, gym gear and a computer adds a lot of strain on a growing body.
Kids are very vulnerable to back pain and back problems related to years of improper pack wear and overloaded packs. Put your child's bag on the bathroom scale and see if the result shocks you into action or a visit to the clinic.
Young bodies are not strong enough to support excessive backpack loads. So what happens? Your back acts like a shock absorber to cushion the weight strain and overcompensates with negative results.
Six Common School Backpack Problems:
Heavy Backpacks - The experts from the American Chiropractic Association recommend that children carry no more than 10% of their body weight. Children often over-compensate for heavy loads by tilting forward in an unnatural position that changes walking habits, makes it harder to balance and causes them to fall over and hurt themselves while trying to run to the bus or car.
Bulky Loads - A bulging backpack not only adds weight, but also makes it difficult to maneuver for kids trying to negotiate crowded aisles or quick turns. It can be a bit dangerous for small children in the path of powerful pack punch by mistake.
Removing A Backpack - Ever wonder how kids manage to pick up and strap on heavy backpacks? Or observe how a sagging pack digs into their shoulders and makes removal a chore. The body tries to help by twisting, turning and contorting into awkward positions. Watch your child next time for the obvious signs of struggle that lead to back pain and strain.
One Shoulder Wear - Be aware of fashion versus function. The latest style of wearing your backpack over one shoulder puts more strain and stress when leaning towards the other side to compensate. Messenger bags and sling bags should balance across your chest, not drag you down.
Nerve Pinching - Anytime backpack straps dig in means blood circulation is being disrupted and even nerves can be pinched to cause tingling and numbness in arms and hands.
Back Curvature - To counterbalance full backpacks, students lean forward year after year. Over time this can lead to back, shoulder and neck pain and possibly a slight curve to develop in your back.
