Backpack Usage

 

With school back in session, children are wearing backpacks again. And for many, that means an increase in neck, back, and shoulder pain. At the Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness Center in Nitro, we are happy to provide safe, fast-acting pain relief, but we also want to provide for our patients’ holistic health and to address underlying problems. Sparing children from shoulder and spinal column trouble is possible when backpacks are used correctly, so we wanted to provide a brief guide on how to do that.

To be clear, backpacks are the best option for carrying school supplies, causing much less strain than handbags or single-strap bags. But they need to be fitted so they rest on the midpoint of a student’s upper back, not dangling down to the lumbar region or off to the side. They should have wide, padded straps, and students should also use a strap across their chests. A backpack should not be loaded enough to equal more than ten percent of the bodyweight of the person wearing it. Heavier objects should be loaded first so they won’t shift around as the wearer moves, and all compartments should be used so that weight will be distributed as evenly as possible.

A backpack’s straps should not be tight enough to cause pins-and-needles sensations in the wearer’s arms. If possible, it’s best to get one with a pull-out handle and wheels, but if school rules don’t allow those to be used, they’re just dead weight and should be avoided. If a child does experience aches in their upper body, they need to stop putting as much in the backpack and not try to power through it. If they experience longer lasting symptoms, we can provide treatments such as therapeutic massages, but the problem will not go away until they use their backpack more efficiently.

Dr. Jay McClanahan is the owner and chiropractor of Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness Center. Our office is located in Nitro, WV. To schedule an appointment with Dr. McClanahan visit our website or call 304-776-1520.