Packing May Be What Hurts Kids' Backs
By Tom Herrin
For those who didn’t notice, it is nearing the time that schools start again in most places. If you didn’t know, then you haven’t been in any kind of retail store for quite some time. The school supply selling season is upon us. There are shelves full of all those items that are needed to fill every child’s school supply list. It is a growing one. To top that off, just about every child wants to look for that special backpack, you know, the one that can hold half of their room and bears the face of their favorite adventure series or kid show star. Most kids want to fill their pack with as much as possible. The next thing that happens, many times, is that those enthusiastic kids overload their backs and have pain. If this happens to your child, a visit to a chiropractor could be the best way to start the school year.
Backpacks Take The Blame For Bad Decisions
There are a lot of bad practices when it comes to carrying a backpack. One is carrying too much weight in them. Studies have suggested that some kids may carry as much as 20 percent of their body weight or more in a backpack. Other problems include carrying the pack too low on their backs, causing them to lean forward too much. Another problem is carrying them with one arm, causing them to lean to one side to compensate. Any of these can result in pain.
Encourage Good Choices
A good way to start choosing a backpack is to look for something smaller. If kids will learn to carry less, they can form a good habit. The American Chiropractic Association has suggested that children should not carry more than 5-10 percent of their body weight in a backpack. Another thing is to hopefully teach children to carry it up over both shoulders. This will make a more balanced load.
A Family Effort Can Improve Health
Getting everyone on board with good health practices can help to create a good sense of family unity. Making good choices can help each member. At The Joint Chiropractic, they have plans for all ages. No insurance is required, no appointments are needed. They are open days and evenings, weekdays and weekends at all of their more than 380 locations nationwide. If you or a family member has back pain, drop in at The Joint Chiropractic today and get relief.
To learn more about your health and wellness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Portland, Ore.