As children, teenagers and young adults return to school or college, many suffer back pain created by their backpacks. Here are a few tips to prevent back pain:
- The backpack should not weigh no more than 5-10 percent of his or her body weight. If the weight is too heavy, they will tend to lean forward causing under stress on the lower back and pulling on the shoulders that could potentially cause lower back and neck pain.
- The shoulder straps should be wide and placed on both shoulders. Padded straps are a must. The shoulder straps should be adjusted so the backpack does not hang down any further than a couple of inches below the waist.
- Smaller backpacks help. It seems the bigger the bag, the heavier the load. Backpacks with several compartments seem to help disperse weight more efficiently.
- If the backpack is too heavy, it may mean parents need to contact a teacher and find a solution to prevent an injury.
Remember, it is not normal to have back or neck pain as a child. If you have any questions, please contact us 320-253-5650.
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