August Tip of the Month
Summer is here! People are
swimming, boating, golfing, and enjoying outdoor barbecues. But it is that time
of year again that while the kids are playing outside or visiting Grandma’s
house parents are eyeing those wonderful back to school sales. On your list
this year: a new backpack for your child!
Backpack safety is an important
issue that physical therapists can offer their advice on. Backpacks, when worn
correctly, help your child carry their school books and supplies to and from
the classroom. Backpacks, when worn incorrectly, can result in shoulder, neck,
or back pain and unnecessary visits to the doctor or physical therapist.
When worn properly the weight of the backpack
is distributed evenly across the child’s body allowing the strong core trunk
muscles to support the weight of the pack.
A backpack worn incorrectly or an overweight backpack can
pull your child’s spine out of proper postural alignment. This may cause the
child to compensate by leaning to one side, leaning forward, or excessively
arching the lower back. Faulty alignment causes undue stress to the spine and
strains muscles, ligaments, and joints. Shoulder, neck, and/or back pain are
not uncommon in these situations. Over time poor posture may also result.
The
following are some tips when shopping for a backpack. The backpack should be of
the proper size running from where the neck meets the upper-back down to the
lower back a few inches above the buttocks. Too large of a pack can cause major
problems. Also, packs hitting the back of the neck or head are being worn too
high and packs resting on the buttocks are being worn too low. A lightweight
backpack with multiple compartments can help distribute the weight. Too narrow
shoulder straps can dig into the shoulders, so wide shoulder pads and a padded
back are preferred. A waist strap or belt on the pack is a bonus and should be
utilized for proper fit. The backpack should be snug but not too tight. A pack
that is worn too tight can cut off circulation and compress nerves causing
numbness, tingling, or arm weakness. Shoulder bags are strongly discouraged in
substitution for a properly fitted backpack.
Physical therapists recommend that
backpacks not exceed 10% to 15% of a child’s own body weight. Anything more
than this is setting oneself up for an injury.