The Summer holidays seem like a distant memory! Children have returned to school and school life is back in full swing. As the weeks pass by, many parents are surprised at what their child has accumulated in their school bag and it’s also surprising just how heavy their child’s school bag is!
Back pain in children is not uncommon and carrying heavy or incorrectly fitting bags can contribute to it or make it worse.
Children carrying heavy and ill-fitting school bags is concerning as a child’s body has not yet fully developed and therefore, carrying, lifting and moving heavy objects places a significant strain on their muscles, joints and bones.
Some of the most concerning impacts of carrying and lifting a heavy school bag every day include:
- Postural imbalances
- Muscle strains
- Repetitive strain injuries
In this post, our Stoke chiropractor covers some simple steps you can take to help protect your child’s back.
Three Simple Steps To Protect Your Child’s Back
#1 – Choosing and adjusting a backpack
A good quality backpack, worn and packed correctly is designed to spread the weight of the bag evenly across the back. When choosing a backpack for your child ensure that it is no wider than the child’s chest and is no longer than their torso.
The shoulder straps should be padded, adjustable and at least two inches wide which will help better distribute the weight of the backpack. There should also be sufficient padding on the back to ensure it is comfortable to wear. The backpack should also have a hand strap to enable it to be carried for short distances.
The straps should be adjusted to ensure that the backpack fits closely and evenly across your child’s back.
Your child should be encouraged to wear the backpack over two shoulders and not slung over one shoulder. Carrying a backpack over one shoulder habitually can lead to postural imbalances, muscle strains and contribute to back and neck pain and headaches.
#2 – Packing the backpack
A study revealed that a child should not carry more than 10% of their body weight. Start out by keeping to a minimum the amount that is being packed in the backpack.
Pack heavier items so that they are close to your child’s back to prevent the weight from dragging the backpack downwards and making it feel heavier.
If your child’s bag is on the heavy side, it’s recommend to take the time to teach them how to pick the backpack up safely. To prevent excessive strain being placed on their back or shoulders, the child should squat down, pick up the back and hold it close to their body before using their legs to push to a standing position. This prevents excessive stain being placed on the back or shoulders.
#3 – Carry out regular checks
Let’s admit it most of us are prone to gather more and more items in the bags we use daily and children are no different! Therefore, check the weight and content of your child’s backpack on a regular basis. It’s worth emptying the bag completely from time to time and repacking it from empty.
Remove unnecessary items and encourage your child to leave items, especially heavy ones, at school whenever possible.
Observe your child’s posture when wearing the backpack. If your child appears to be hunched or have an angled forward back or neck, it may be worth arranging a visit to a chiropractor for a check up.
When to Visit Our Chiropractors in Stoke With Your Child
If your child is complaining of back pain or you are concerned about their posture, our experienced team of chiropractors in Stoke are here to help. You can contact, contact City Chiropractic Clinic today on 01782 848 184 or book an appointment online on our website here.