Backpack Safety

It's back to school time!  One important thing parents often overlook is their child's spinal hygiene.  The changes of a new routine that they encounter can impact their health.  A backpack is not usually thought more than just a way to carry things to school, with children often picking their bags based on the color, design, etc.  However, it is important to help your child choose a backpack that best supports healthy spinal posture.

Did you know that the MAXIMUM healthy backpack weight is 10-15% of your child's weight? For most elementary aged kids this equals about 1-2 textbooks.  The reason that this is important is your child's developing and growing spinal joints.  Stress to these joints causes subluxations in the neck and back, leading to pain.  Adding extra weight to the backpack increases this stress placed on the nervous system.

Fit is also important when choosing a backpack. The bag should not sit lower than the waist as this increases tension load on the shoulders and drives the shoulders back while pushing the neck forward.  Also, if possible, buy a back pack with added straps at the waist and/or shoulders across the chest as this helps distribute the weight more evenly.  And as always, get your child adjusted!  Chiropractic kids are proven to miss less school days than children who do not get adjusted regularly! Have a happy and healthy school year!

Dr. Nicholas J. Knutson

Owner/Doctor

MOUNTAIN ISLAND CHIROPRACTIC

10917 Black Dog Ln., Suite 101 

Charlotte, NC 28214

Tel (704) 394-8556

Fax (704) 395-8556

mtnislandchiro.com

"If you laugh, you think, and you cry, that's a full day. That's a heck of a day. You do that seven days a week, you're going to have something special." JV

Lavigne, V. (2014). Weight limit recommendations in backpack use for school-aged children. J Clin Chiropr Pediatr., 14(2):1156-1159.