Backpacks
Each
school year, many children are putting themselves at risk for postural problems
early degenerative changes, nerve damage in the upper extremities and chronic
back and neck pain. They are doing this by carrying their backpacks incorrectly.
A physical therapist on a recent Good Morning America segment offered the
following recommendations for children using backpacks to transport books and
other “necessities” to and from school.
1. Carry no more than 10% of the body weight (examples: wt. 75 lbs. No more than a 7.5 lb. Backpack; wt. 100 lbs. No more than a 10 lb. Backpack).
2. Backpacks should be narrow and not wider than the body.
3. Backpacks should be carried higher on the back. This can be accomplished by shortening the straps. When backpacks are carried low, all of the weight is pressured on the shoulders; when carried high, the weight is evenly carried on the back.
4. An ergonomically-designed backpack is recommended-this is one that
has:
a. padded shoulders
b. angled shoulder straps
c. compression straps to keep the load closer to the body
d. waist belt
5. Avoid carrying backpacks on one shoulder as this can lead to leaning over to the side and postural problems.
6. When picking up a backpack, especially a heavy one, bend the knees and pick it up with e hands, not one hand flinging it over the shoulder.
7. Be sure to carry necessities only and periodically discard those items no longer needed.
How to tell if your child has a potentially serious back problem from their
backpacks:
a. leaning over with poor posture
b. cannot pick backpack up
c. complaints of pain
d. redness or soreness of shoulder
Please monitor your child’s backpack. Their back’s health depends on it! I will be performing periodic weight checks of backpacks and asking teachers to have backpack clean-outs when the children clean out their desks. I encourage you to do the same.
Yours in good health,
K. Patrizi, RN School Nurse
www.kpatrizi@springfieldschool.org