Heavy Backpacks, What to do?
Heavy backpacks, what to do?
The kids are back in school already! They are going to be carrying home heavy backpacks again. Did you know that there were 5,415 backpack related injuries treated in the emergency room in this country a few years back! In fact research shows that over 60% of children carry backpacks that weigh more than 10% of their bodyweight every day. So what you ask? Long term damage can include strained neck and shoulders, headaches, adhesions in the back muscles, scoliosis and even reduced breathing capacity.
What should you, as a concerned parent/grandparent do?
1. Make sure they use both straps all the time and evenly distribute the weight.
2. Make sure the straps are padded and fit on the chest, not the shoulders.
3. Reduce the number of heavy books they take back and forth.
4. Consider using digital text books on a tablet to reduce the weight.
5. Last but not least, don’t leave them at home when you come in for your spinal tune up. I am finding spinal restrictions and muscle adhesions earlier and earlier in my young patients. The good news is that they heal faster and their treatments last longer than my adult patients, but that doesn’t mean they don’t need care too.
Until next time, be healthy, happy and smart!
Dr. Jim
