A backpack may be a trusty companion and an essential to your daily routine. Or it might be an item that your child or other loved one uses often. Either way, you need certain essential knowledge about backpacks so you can keep yourself and your loved ones safe and healthy.
Possible Problems from Improper Backpack Use
A backpack can be an ideal accessory when you need to haul around items like books, papers, file folders and miscellaneous supplies. But it can also be a source of health issues if you don’t use it properly, such as when you overload it with too much stuff and weight.
Common symptoms related to using the wrong bag or using the right bag improperly include:
- Back pain
- Shoulder pain
- Neck pain and headaches
Or the symptoms can be even more serious than that. And someone carrying a bag over a period of time can start feeling like The Leaning Tower of Pisa, shifted and out of place from the bottom up.
Solutions to Backpack Woes
Here are 5 backpack tips to prevent problems from occurring:
- Don’t carry too much weight,
- For younger kids, the weight of the bag should not exceed 10% of their body weight.
- For older kids and adults, it shouldn’t exceed 15% of their body weight.
- Adjust the straps so the backpack rests in the curve of the lower back.
- Distribute the weight evenly. If your child’s backpack has multiple compartments, it will be easier to evenly distribute the weight of the items inside. The heaviest items should be packed low and toward the center of the bag.
- Use the shoulder straps when carrying the bag. Wearing both straps can also help distribute the weight more evenly and prevent your child from leaning to one side, which can cause pain in the neck, back, or shoulders. It also makes losing his or her balance less likely.
- Use the waist strap. A waist strap holds the contents closer to your child’s back, which can help him or her maintain balance.
If your child has developed health problems as a result of using backpacks, or if you’re just trying to prevent any issues before they occur, we can help. Click here to schedule a consult when you’re ready to get started with addressing any core problems that may be interfering with your child’s health and contributing to their symptoms of back or neck problems resulting from backpack-related issues.
Dr. Derek Gallant
Dr. Derek Gallant has committed himself to helping others live the best life possible. After graduating from Wesleyan University, he received his Doctor of Chiropractic Degree from Life Chiropractic College West where he finished 2nd in his class. He is the owner of Beverly Family Chiropractic and co-founder of The Well Family Foundation. Dr. Gallant is certified through the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association (ICPA) in the Webster technique, an analysis focused on assisting pregnant women in a healthy pregnancy and natural birth. He has inspired thousands of people to take control of their own health using the Life By Design method. Apart from full time practice you can find Derek at the parks and coffee shops around Beverly with his family, training hard at the gym, or at the beach surfing.
