Backpack Safety

Take pain out of returning to school

(Cincinnati Community Press) The National Chiropractic Association warns that excessive or unevenly distributed weight in a backpack can put strain on a child's growing spine, which can lead to serious back pain, changes in posture and gait, and potential irritation and injury of the spine, joints and muscles.
In a recent report by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, 75 percent of the children studied suffered from some sort of back pain with backpacks being a large contributor. Backpack guidelines suggest that children should carry no more than 10 percent of their total body weight in their backpack. The safety commission found that one-third of school children regularly carried more than 30 percent of their weight in their backpack.
Chiropractor Virginia Cantillon says, "We see more kids with back pain that is directly attributable to the weight they are carrying. They are having neck problems, mid- and lower-back pain."
Overloaded bags will initially cause some pain around the neck, which can lead to other conditions like headaches, and eventually impaired mechanical movement.
Here are a few simple recommendations and guidelines that can make a world of difference in a child's spinal health:
* Choose a backpack that is proportionate to body size and not larger than needed.
* Select a backpack made of lightweight material.
* The shoulder straps should be at least two inches wide, adjustable and padded.
* A backpack should have a padded back for added protection and comfort.
* Evenly distribute contents and pack the heaviest items close to the body.
* Backpacks should never exceed 15 percent of a secondary school child's body weight or 10 percent of an elementary school child's body weight.
Following these recommendations will take some of the pain out of returning to school.

Dr. Zach's Comments:

• The fact that more and more children are having health issues such as back pain, neck pain, and headaches is a disturbing trend and a sign that their environment is not one that promotes health. Furthermore we are seeing other heath issues arise is children that were just a decade ago seen only in adults (type 2 diabetes, heart disease, cancer).


• Your children cannot make appropriate decisions about their health and well being, therefore YOU MUST MAKE THE RIGHT DECISIONS FOR THEM! Make sure they are getting a nutritionally adequate diet, plenty of activity and sleep, and spiritual guidance. Also make the effort to ward off preventable ailments through proactive approaches to health issues such as backpack screenings (offered at McCabe Family Chiropractic and McCabe Chiropractic and Wellness Center in 2 months!), chiropractic spinal screenings, and other health and wellness oriented check-ups by other health care providers.


• Allowing spinal injuries (even small ones) to go uncorrected in children can lead to much more serious problems in the future. Furthermore, these injuries (we call them subluxations) can prevent a child or adult from reaching their maximum potential because of the nerve system involvement. Have your child checked for subluxations today!