Lighten the load: Backpack safety

Whether it is your students first time in the classroom or they‘re headed off to college, it is important to review the proper way to wear and load a backpack to prevent injury and pain from occurring. Backpacks that are overloaded, improperly worn, or just poorly designed all pose a hazard to new and continuing students alike. They can increase the likelihood of back pain, headaches, and poor posture; all of which can develop into significant problems as they get older. The health risks associated with heavy backpacks has even caught the attention of lawmakers across the country, leading to an initiative called “Lighten the Load”. If you have noticed your student complain about back pain, neck pain, or headaches, or maybe you have noticed them leaning far forward to compensate for the weight in their bag; the following tips and tricks may prove beneficial.

When it comes to selecting a backpack, there are a number of ergonomic features that you can select to best support your student’s learning habits. Choosing a backpack that is the correct size for your child is one of the easiest ways to eliminate pain and poor posture. The backpack should never be wider or longer than your child’s torso and when worn, should never hang more than 4 inches below their waist. Padded shoulder straps also help distribute weight across the back without applying too much pressure through sensitive points on the shoulders. Also ensuring that your student is wearing both straps is imperative. Wearing only a single strap can lead to posture changes and increases in muscle tension due to the contents of the bag shifting to one side. Some backpacks even come with extra straps that clasp around the chest of hips. Utilizing these straps can also help distribute the weight from the backpack more evenly. They also help in keeping the backpack close to the body and prevent them from being worn too low.

The inside of the backpack is just as important as the flashy design on the outside. Take a moment to examine the inside of the backpack to determine how roomy the inside is and if it has extra compartments. While a roomy backpack may seem like a good idea at first, the more room available, the more your student will carry to fill it; aka more weight. If possible, having a backpack with inside compartments or divisions can greatly improve weight distribution and eliminate contents sliding every which way in the backpack. Compartments can also help organize your students’ belongings so they can quickly find needed materials for classes.

While the design of the backpack and correctly wearing them are imperative to backpack safety, it is also just as important to help your student eliminate unnecessary packing. The American Chiropractic Association recommends that student backpacks should only weigh 5% to 10% of their body weight. On average, students today carry closer to 25%! Regularly going through to organize and eliminate unnecessary materials from their backpacks is a great way to lighten their load and let your students know you have their back!

This school year, don’t let the weight of the backpacks get your students down. Let them know you have their back by regularly checking their backpacks and bring them in for regular wellness visits at Cape Coral Family Chiropractic! If you have any questions regarding backpack safety or how chiropractic care can keep your student happy and healthy, feel free to give the office a call!