Backpacks and back pain

It is that time of year again! Back to school shopping, crossing guards, and school zones only mean one thing. There will be thousands of tiny people walking around a community near you. Right now many kids have geared up for another school year. There are so many concerns for parents as they prepare and watch their kids advance for the next year of their life. One concern that can be overlooked is that these little developing bodies tend to become overstressed by the weight of their backpack.

Using a backpack is necessary for students, since it allows them to safely carry more books and goodies than the arms and hands can handle. But, the risk is overload on the child's body and this can cause a significant amount of damage to a young developing spine.

Small children are not the only ones at risk. High school and college students are required to carry much more in their backpacks in comparison to young children in lower grades. In addition, they oftentimes have to travel further distances with this considerable load. Older students are at a higher risk of spine damage. What kind of damage? Back pain, hip pain, muscle weakness, and in younger students, scoliosis.

Back pain can often times be avoided by just wearing the appropriate backpack for the size of the child and filling it to a weight that the child is able to carry without causing strain. A 40 lb back pack can be terrible on a young developing spine! Backpacks that are too large can have a destructive impact on posture and spinal health. This can cause poor disc alignment, force the head forward which can lead to muscle fatigue and strain, especially in the back and shoulders. Here are a few tips to help parents and students.

• Backpack should be proportionate to size

• Straps at least 2 inches wide, padded and adjustable

• Packed weight 10-15 percent of body weight

• Carry using both straps, never just one strap

Pinnacle Physical Therapy is an expert in back pain. If you or your child is experiencing back pain, call (208) 777-4242 for Post Falls or (208) 665-2000 for Coeur d'Alene and schedule an appointment with one of our licensed physical therapists. We accept most types of insurance, including Medicare/Medicaid.