Each , millions of children walk to, from and around school carrying backpacks filled with books and materials. It's important to recognize that overly stressing the back with a heavy backpack could cause back pain in their child. Here are a few guidelines to avoid this type of injury. Keep in mind that a heavy weight carried in backpacks can cause a person to lean forward, reducing their balance and making it easier to fall. It can distort the natural curves of the spine causing muscle strain and irritation to spinal joints and nerves and even cause a rounding of the shoulders.
Also, carrying backpacks over one shoulder will cause muscles to strain, possibly even muscle spasm and back pain as the body tries to balance and adjust to the shift in balance. Limiting the backpack weight to 10-15% of the child's body weight is reasonable. Use both shoulder straps when carrying a backpack. Finally, distribute the weight evenly in the backpack and have the straps secure the weight close to the body so it doesn't continually shift and throw off the body's balance.
Should your child develop back pain or discomfort, consider lightening the load and having a chiropractic spinal examination to determine if treatment may be needed or beneficial.
