How To Safely Use A Backpack To Avoid Back Pain
While I currently use a backpack whenever I need to carry quite a lot of items with me, including my laptop, I wasn't always so reliant on using a backpack to help me carry my things around. Sure, I had used one when I was a very young kid in elementary school, and even up through high school. After graduation though, I ditched the backpack in favor of fashionable handbags and purses to get me through college. As you can imagine, this was not exactly the best or even the most practical choice when it came to my health, since attempting to cram all of my books and other school supplies into small shoulder bags was not only difficult to achieve, but it really increased the amount of strain and pressure on my neck, shoulders, and back, to the point where back pain and headaches were becoming a somewhat common occurrence.
Looking back on that experience now, I definitely realize that I should stuck with a backpack, which is why I currently use one now. If you find that your shoulders and back tend to ache as a result of carrying many items in a purse that was not designed to accommodate for ergonomics, you may want to keep on reading to learn why a backpack can be so beneficial for your spinal health. As I learned from an article posted by Care 2, here are the tips you should take into consideration when looking for a new backpack.
One of the most important things to look out for when choosing a new backpack is to make sure that the straps provide good ergonomic support. This means that they should be wide, and preferably have padding or cushioning on them. The straps should also be adjustable, since you don't want the bag sitting too high or too low on your back. A cushioned back panel and waist straps are all extra features on a backpack that can go a long way when it comes to improving comfort and spinal health.
As for loading up the backpack, be sure to pack the heaviest items as close to the center of the backpack as you can put them, in order to keep the load balanced, so one side of your back is not straining more than the other. If you are still experiencing back pain, you may want to see a chiropractor, who will be able to strengthen your spinal health with regular adjustments.
Used under Creative Commons Licensing courtesy of Durant Weston