SOUTH SHORE FAMILY CHIROPRACTIC
Monthly News - August 2009

"Backpack Safety 101"
Did you know according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, since 1996 there has been a 330% increase in backpack-related injuries among school age children in America? Within the last few years there have been several documented studies demonstrating improperly worn backpacks may cause long-term damage to a growing spine. Think about the effect and stress of a heavy load distributed improperly or unevenly, repeatedly day after day, on a growing spine.

"As the twig bends, so grows the tree." Hauling a heavy backpack over one shoulder every day can also cause serious postural misalignments, thereby triggering vertebral subluxations. There is a growing awareness of this problem nationally and a growing concern that young children may be causing themselves long-term back and overall health problems.

To keep your children safe, remember these four important tips:

• Choose the correct size-ideally, it should have padded shoulder straps and fit securely between the shoulder blades and waist, weighing less than a pound. Roller bags are NOT necessarily a better alternative, since empty it may weigh 80% more than a backpack, and invites the tendency to pack it heavier. Also, at some point during the day, a child will need to lift that bag, (when going up and down stairs for instance) and this may cause further injury due to improper lifting of the heavy object.
  
  
• Packing the pack- the maximum weight load should not exceed 15% of your child's weight. If your child leans forward to carry it, it's too heavy. Be aware of signs-pain, red marks from straps, poor posture-all indicating the backpack fits poorly or is overloaded.
  
  
• Often ignored is the act of lifting and positioning the pack. Simply lifting 20 pounds improperly can cause damage. When lifting a pack, have your child face the pack, bend at the knees, use both hands to check the pack's weight and lift with the legs, not the back.
  
  
• When wearing the pack always use both shoulder straps and make the straps fit snug, not too tight. Ideally, choose a pack with a stabilizing waist strap. Keep in my mind, while fashionable, carrying the backpack on one shoulder can cause long-term neck, shoulder, back and postural problems. Ask your child's teacher if there are extra books available to keep at home lightening the load of the backpack every day.

Dr. Bill, Lori, Sue & Christine