Back to School
HEY MOMS AND DADS—GOT YOUR KIDS’ BACK??
The month of August kicks off “back to school” season! This is a very busy month for parents who are trying to prep their kids with everything they will need for a successful school year. From awesome new school clothes, to the boring ol’ pencils and tissues, a lot of emphasis is put on making sure kids have the right stuff.
This includes backpacks! Most kids need something to carry their books, pencils, folder, and (let’s face it we all know it happens) their favorite toys from home! There’s a lot out there to choose from, and the decision over what to buy is not one to take lightly. There’s a lot to consider when making this choice.
HOW A BACKPACK AFFECTS THE SPINE
Backpacks help people carry their belongings from one place to another. Unfortunately, adding too many items to the backpack can increase the weight of the pack. This places additional stress on the entire spine, the muscles of the neck and back, as well as other joints in the body. Because our bodies are not meant to carry a large amount of weight for long periods, repetitively carrying heavy backpacks can cause the spine to degenerate early. This leads to muscle tension and eventually pain.
SIGN’S YOUR KID’S BACKPACK IS TOO HEAVY
In order to safeguard your child’s spine, it is important to regularly monitor how their backpack fits. Some common signs that the backpack is not properly fitted are:
- They struggle to put it on and take it off.
- They feel pain while wearing it.
- Their arms or legs feel numb.
- They have strap marks.
- They bend or lean forward to remain standing up.
TIPS TO A SAFER BACKPACK
Keep in mind that just because a type of backpack is trendy, it doesn’t mean it’s good for your child. Some tips to making sure the backpack you buy is safe are:
- Buy a backpack with wide and padded straps
The wide and padded straps will help distribute weight across the back. These kinds of straps will also prevent digging into the shoulders, which can cause damage and pain.
- Make sure the backpack isn’t too big in size
One mistake that parents make is buying a pack that is too bit. They think that their kid will just grow into it. But the reality is a pack that is too big is setting them up for injury and potential spinal damage.
A good rule is to make sure the pack does not go beyond 4 inches below the waist at the bottom and 2 inches below the shoulders at the top.
- Ensure that it is holding the right amount of weight
Your kids carry a lot of stuff. Schools may not have lockers, so they can’t store their things at school. But the more stuff they have to carry, the heavier the load on their growing and developing spine.
It’s important to remember that the weight of your kid’s backpack should never exceed beyond 10% of their weight. So, if your child weighs 50 lbs, the weight of their backpack should be no more than 5 lbs.
Of course, we all know that caring for your child’s spine is a lifelong endeavor. At Rising Chiropractic, you have a chiropractor near you that can help your child grow and develop into a strong, healthy adult. And we can help them be ready for school!
