Back-to-school shopping is right around the corner these days and this may include everything from school supplies, to clothes, to school backpacks. Did you know that more than 79 million students in the United States carry school backpacks and more than 23,000 backpack-related injuries were treated at hospital emergency rooms, doctor's offices and clinics in 2007?
Therefore, choosing the right backpack and learning how to load it properly for yourself or for your loved one is very important in the prevention of back pain and postural strains.
Carrying too much weight in a backpack or wearing it improperly can lead to pains and strains. About 55 percent of students carry a backpack that is heavier than the recommended guideline of 15 percent of the student's total body weight. For example, a student weighing 100 pounds should not wear a loaded school backpack heavier than about 15 pounds.
You should load the heaviest items closest to the child's back, and arrange books and materials so they won't slide around in the backpack. Also, check to see what your child/student carries to school and brings home; make sure these items are necessary for the day's activities.
There is always the option of carrying a book instead of placing it in the backpack if it is too heavy or too full. Essentially the best backpacks are lightweight and should include two wide padded shoulder straps, padding between the wearer and the pack and a waist strap to keep the pack stabilized.
n You should use both straps and not just one strap over the shoulder to distribute the weight evenly. Wearing a pack over one shoulder can cause the student to lean to one side, curving the spine and causing pain or discomfort.
n Well-padded shoulder straps help protect the numerous blood vessels and nerves in the neck and shoulders. If the straps are not well padded and too much pressure is applied to the neck and shoulder area, it could lead to some pain and tingling in the neck, arms and hands.
n The backpack should fit snugly against the child/student's back so the straps should be adjusted accordingly. If it hangs too loosely, it can affect one's posture and strain different muscles. You want to make sure that the child/student is able to put on and take off the backpack without difficulty and free movement of the arms. The bottom of the backpack should rest in the curve of the low back. It should never rest more than four inches below the child's/student's waistline.
n If the backpack has a waist belt, you should wear it to help distribute the backpack's weight more evenly.
School backpacks come in different sizes for different ages. Make sure you follow these steps and guidelines in helping you choose your next backpack to allow for a proper fit and proper loading of items to help minimize your risk for injury. Any questions, please feel free to contact the Rehabilitation Department at the Memorial Hospital of Lafayette County (608) 776-5744.
- Sue Paquette is Community Outreach Director at Memorial Hospital of Lafayette County
Therefore, choosing the right backpack and learning how to load it properly for yourself or for your loved one is very important in the prevention of back pain and postural strains.
Carrying too much weight in a backpack or wearing it improperly can lead to pains and strains. About 55 percent of students carry a backpack that is heavier than the recommended guideline of 15 percent of the student's total body weight. For example, a student weighing 100 pounds should not wear a loaded school backpack heavier than about 15 pounds.
You should load the heaviest items closest to the child's back, and arrange books and materials so they won't slide around in the backpack. Also, check to see what your child/student carries to school and brings home; make sure these items are necessary for the day's activities.
There is always the option of carrying a book instead of placing it in the backpack if it is too heavy or too full. Essentially the best backpacks are lightweight and should include two wide padded shoulder straps, padding between the wearer and the pack and a waist strap to keep the pack stabilized.
n You should use both straps and not just one strap over the shoulder to distribute the weight evenly. Wearing a pack over one shoulder can cause the student to lean to one side, curving the spine and causing pain or discomfort.
n Well-padded shoulder straps help protect the numerous blood vessels and nerves in the neck and shoulders. If the straps are not well padded and too much pressure is applied to the neck and shoulder area, it could lead to some pain and tingling in the neck, arms and hands.
n The backpack should fit snugly against the child/student's back so the straps should be adjusted accordingly. If it hangs too loosely, it can affect one's posture and strain different muscles. You want to make sure that the child/student is able to put on and take off the backpack without difficulty and free movement of the arms. The bottom of the backpack should rest in the curve of the low back. It should never rest more than four inches below the child's/student's waistline.
n If the backpack has a waist belt, you should wear it to help distribute the backpack's weight more evenly.
School backpacks come in different sizes for different ages. Make sure you follow these steps and guidelines in helping you choose your next backpack to allow for a proper fit and proper loading of items to help minimize your risk for injury. Any questions, please feel free to contact the Rehabilitation Department at the Memorial Hospital of Lafayette County (608) 776-5744.
- Sue Paquette is Community Outreach Director at Memorial Hospital of Lafayette County