Backpack Safety: A Guide for Parents, Students and Teachers

Young children are suffering from back pain much earlier than previous generations and this trend is linked to a very unlikely culprit - backpacks. Backpacks are fast becoming a safety concern for our kids. In fact, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that backpack-related injuries sent more than 7,000 people to the emergency room in 2001 alone. They also report a 300 percent increase in backpack-related injuries among schoolchildren over the last 10 years. What can you do? Follow these tips to prevent needless pain from backpack misuse.

Fitting a Backpack

• Ensure the backpack is the correct size for your child. It should never be wider or longer than the torso.
• The bottom of the pack should rest in the curve of the lower back. It should never rest more than four inches below the child's waistline.
• Your child should wear the pack as intended - on their back with both straps over their shoulders. Wearing a pack slung over one shoulder causes a child to lean to one side, curving the spine and causing pain or discomfort.
  
• Wide, padded shoulder straps are essential to overall comfort. Non-padded straps that are uncomfortable cause your child to compensate by carrying their bag by one hand or over one shoulder. Also, the shoulder and neck areas have many blood vessels and nerves that when irritated can cause pain and tingling in the neck, arms, and hands.
• Adjust the shoulder straps so that the pack fits snugly to the child's back. A pack that hangs loosely from the back can pull the child backwards and strain muscles.
• Wear the waist belt if the backpack has one. This helps distribute the pack's weight more evenly.

Packing a Backpack

• Don't select one that is too big. A big pack is an invitation to pack more, which of course adds weight.
• Consider a backpack with separate compartments and pockets. This helps distribute weight evenly.
• Arrange the contents of the backpack so they don't slide around. It's also helpful to place the heaviest items closest to the child's back. Pack bulky and akwardly shaped items away from the area that rests on your child's back so they are not poked by hard or sharp corners.
• Check the child's backpack regularly. Make sure it only contains items necessary to the day's activities. On days when extra items are necessary, load the backpack as instructed and have your child hand carry any additional items.

Additional Steps to Consider

• A healthy spine and strong back muscles are one of the best defenses against injury.
  
• Instill healthy habits early: Ensure your child is getting proper exercise. Instruct your child to report any discomfort or pain immediately. Just as you make certain your child regularly visits the dentist to maintain oral health, ensure you are maintaining the health of your child's spine and nervous system through regular visits to a chiropractor.

Chiroadvance services, 2009