Backpack Safe? Get it Checked at Morrisville Location

When students head back to school, it is an exciting and stressful time for families. But did you know that there are 40,000 backpack-related injuries and more than 7,000 backpack-related emergency room visits annually? It is important to make sure that your child's backpack is correctly fitted with the proper weight before school starts! 

A proper fit of the backpack is most important. A backpack should sit evenly across the child's shoulders, up high enough but not too low. The bulk of the weight should be right into the small of the child's back. If the backpack is too low, then the lower back is pulled on and will result in a child hunching. This puts undue stress into the child's lumbar spine. 

Next is the weight of the backpack. The backpack should be no more than 10 percent of the child's weight. So, a 100-pound child should have no more than a 10-pound backpack, fully loaded. Don't forget to use the smaller compartments to help distribute the weight evenly throughout your child's back. 

Remind your children to carry their backpack on both shoulders, not one! Carrying a backpack one-sided can cause scoliosis, strains to the spine and repetitive stress injuries. These injuries can result in a child sitting in school with bad posture, which is harmful to the spine over a long period of time. Backpacks should have padded two-inch straps, too.

Parents should know the warning signs of a backpack-related injury, such as back pain, neck pain and knee pain. While back-to-school shopping, make sure your child wears the backpack before purchasing. Carefully observe the way that the child puts the backpack on. If they have difficulty putting it on, then it's not the best backpack for them.

The Joint Chiropractic Cary is offering free backpack checks through September. Bring in your child and their backpack Monday through Friday, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

For more information about backpack safety, click here.

To learn more about your health and wellness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Morrisville, N.C.