When I was in school, I remember the “cool” way to wear your backpack was over one shoulder. No wonder my back started hurting at such an early age. That weight takes a toll on young backs, and from what I hear, the books have gotten heavier and more plentiful over the years.
Dr. Andrew Casden is the associate director of Beth Israel’s Spine Institute. Here are his 5 tips for children so that they can save themselves from backpack induced back pain.
· Reduce the weight in the pack – weight should not exceed 20% of the child’s body weight.
· Bend at the knees, not at the waist when lifting heavy packs.
· Wear the backpack over both shoulders, not slung over only one.
· Place heavy items in the back of the pack.
· Consider a pack on wheels that can be dragged rather than carried.
This has always been a constant battle with the children especially with the straps the children always have them slack which makes their backpacks hang too low on the back. Great post!
ReplyDeleteI remember that my backpack used to be very heavy. I had so much stuff that I did not even need.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I see kids wearing their backpack very low and I always think that it must be doing horrible things to their back and posture.
And the books have gotten heavier. And there's more of them to carry.
timely post! my daughter just started middle school and has a HEAVY backpack for all her classes. she refuses to wear her backpack on two shoulders, and i know she's going to have one heck of a neck ache after a while. what to do??
ReplyDeleteshenais
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I, too, am very concerned about the number of books these kids (my daughter is a middle schooler, too) are expected to lug home each night. And to top it off, she has scoliosis. But it's not COOL to use a traditional backpack when you're a 7th grader. Tough one...
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