Back pain is very common for typical adults who go through the usual stresses of daily life. However, an alarming trend has emerged, with back pain now affecting the younger generations. Yes, you guessed it right. Overweight backpacks have a lot to do with it.
In the recent decade, chiropractors have noticed the increase in the number of youngsters seeking their expertise. This should not be surprising considering the amounts of weight they carry in their backpacks. Worse, fashion dictates children to slung them just over one shoulder. It is estimated that at least 60% of children carrying disproportionate-weight backpacks will experience back pain.
What can you do to prevent this? Well, first of all, it is best to limit your child’s backpack weight only to 5-10% of his/her body weight. You should also choose the right backpack – one that is just the right size with wide, well-padded and adjustable straps, and with individualized compartments for effective positioning of contents. You should make sure your child wears the backpack correctly. It should hang less than four inches below the waistline, and encourage the use of both shoulder straps.
Heavy backpacks cause children to bend forward to support the weight on their backs. If not worn correctly, it can also cause them to lean forward when walking. If they carry their backpacks around for long hours, you can expect back pain to set-in eventually.
While there is not much we can do about heavy books and school materials, you can protect your child from backpack-induced back pain. If your child happens to already be experiencing it, you should seek the help of a good chiropractor who can come up with a natural treatment program to treat your problem. If you want the best for your child, you will act now.