With kids returning to school and summer drawing to a close, parents are out in force purchasing backpacks for their kids. Here are a few tips on keeping a backpack from causing back pain and damaging your child's spine. While kids want the coolest design or the best super hero’s on the back of the pack, parents need to look out for safety.
Purchasing a backpack with nicely padded straps is critical to avoiding pressure on their neck or the big bundles of nerves that lead into both of the arms. Secondly, just like purses-the bigger the pack, the more your kid will stuff in it. Limiting the weight in the backpack is important. Your child can only safely carry a backpack that weighs no more than 10% of the weight of your child.
Carrying the pack properly is also important. Teach them to use both straps. Slinging the backpack over one shoulder will cause a problem long term. Teaching them how to take care of their bodies now will prevent injuries later.
In my Plymouth chiropractic office, I see many kids. Many parents now have a chiropractor who sees their entire family including the kids. If your child is experiencing back pain, headaches or other recurring symptoms that your pediatrician has not been able to give you an acceptable solution for, call us. If I can help you, I will and if you need a referral to another provider, we can do that as well. www.activefamilychiropractic.com