Back pain is common among Americans, even for children and teens. It may not seem like a big deal for your child to put on their backpack and head out to school each day, but in reality, a heavy, ill-fitting backpack can be extremely damaging to the spine. If your child is complaining of back pain, their backpack may be the cause. Here are some backpack safety tips to keep in mind for easing back pain.
Keep in Mind the Weight of the Backpack:
Too much weight can cause students to bend over to support the weight, putting pressure on the back and leading to back pain in kids. It is recommended that a backpack be no heavier than 10% to 15% of the weight of the student.
Wear a Backpack Properly:
Heavier items should go in the back and lighter items towards the front for a more even balance. Compartments in the backpack can help space out things placed in the backpack for more evenly distributed weight across the entire backpack. A backpack should fit close to the body with the straps as tight as is comfortable, rather than hanging low on a child’s legs or bottom.
