A backpack is a handy tool for carrying books, papers, permission slips, lunches, and everything else to and from school each day, however, backpacks can pose a risk to your back health and safety. However, if the correct pack is purchased and worn correctly, the weight in a backpack is evenly distributed across the body, then shoulder and neck injuries are less common than if someone carried a shoulder bag, etc. Backpacks are a great and extremely practical, more so than many other options, but they can strain muscles and joints and may cause back pain if they’re too heavy or are used incorrectly.
The following is a look at how to use a backpack correctly.
The right weight: Many kids end up straining muscles and ruining posture because of too heavy of packs, this can often not be helped because of the sheer amount of work they have to do each night, especially in older kids who carry heavy text books. However, most doctors and physical therapists recommend that kids carry no more than 10% to 15% of their body weight in their packs. So, if your child is finding their pack to be too heavy, it is time to step in and do something about it.
Wearing it right: While it might look cool to buy a messenger bag, or only wear their bag on one shoulder, it can cause them to offset their body weight, and make them lean to one side. This can lead to lower back pain, upper back pain, and strain on the shoulders and neck. So, encourage children to wear their backpacks on both shoulders, and adjusted to the right length.
The right straps: A backpack is made to distribute weight evenly across the body, but this can be offset if your child does not adjust their backpack to their height. All backpacks have adjustable straps, so adjust them to fit the kid’s body size. In addition, make sure that right strap width. Backpacks with tight, narrow straps that dig into the shoulders can interfere with circulation and nerves, and may lead to tingling and numbness in arms and hands. In addition to the right width of straps, it is good to find a backpack that can be done up around the waist and across the chest to help keep the weight distributed evenly.
If you can get your child the right backpack, and teach them how to wear it correctly, they will have far fewer back problems, and you won’t have to worry about whether or not their backpack is going to cause posture problems in their future. Of course, you still may need to check with their teachers to ensure that they are not sent home too much stuff, making their packs too heavy.
Parenting viewpoints from parents in the trenches, because parenting doesn’t come with a manual. In addition to