Chiropractic Corner
Back pain is very common among American adults, but a new and troubling trend is developing. Children are suffering from back pain much earlier than previous generations, and one contributing factor is overly heavy backpacks.
In fact, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that there are over 6,000 backpack-related emergency room visits each year. Certainly, many more kids have pain that is treated outside the ER or goes untreated. This back-pain trend among children isn’t surprising when you consider the disproportionate amounts of weight carried in some backpacks. A study from Italy found that the average child carries a backpack that would be the equivalent of 40 pounds for a 180-pound man or 20 pounds for a 135-pound woman. Of those children carrying heavy backpacks, 60% had experienced recent back pain, as a heavier backpack causes your child to bend forward in an attempt to support the weight on their back, rather than on the shoulders, by the straps.
Another study showed that the longer a child wears an overweight backpack, the longer it takes to recover from the resulting pain. These findings are especially important as more school districts (usually urban areas) remove lockers from the premises, forcing students to carry their books with them all day long. The problem has become so widespread, that some states are requiring school districts to develop ways of reducing the weight a of students’ backpacks.
So, what can parents do? Make sure your child’s backpack weighs no more than 10-15% of their body weight. The shoulder straps should be adjustable so the backpack can be fitted to your child’s body. The bottom of the backpack should not hang lower than four inches below the waistline. Hanging too low increases the weight pulling back on the shoulders, causing your child to lean forward. A backpack with individualized compartments helps in positioning the contents most effectively. Make sure that pointy or bulky objects are packed away from the area that rests against your child’s back.
Bigger is not necessarily better. The more room there is, the more your child will carry and the heavier the backpack becomes.
Wear both shoulder straps. Using one strap shifts the weight to one side, leading to muscle spasms and neck/ back pain.
Just as an adult can benefit from chiropractic care, so do children. If your child experiences pain or discomfort resulting from backpack use, call your chiropractor. Correcting the problem before it can become worse is extremely important in preventing chronic conditions in the future.
Dr. Daren Overmiller practices at Childress Specific Chiropractic, 210 Commerce St. To contact Childress Specific Chiropractic, call 940-937-6600.
