Back to School Backpack Blog

Backpack Blog:

It’s that time of year again. The kids are back at school and are back to using their backpacks. With textbooks getting bigger and heavier each year, here are some simple tips to help prevent those big heavy books from having a negative impact on your child's back. Backpacks that are either too heavy, or being worn incorrectly can lead to poor posture and chronic pain, both things you or your children shouldn't have to worry about.

Backpack Tips:

• Look for a backpack with padded straps..
• Make sure your child wears a backpack over both shoulders, not just over one shoulder.
• The heaviest books should be stored closest to the back to ensure that the load is being supported properly. The farther away from the body, the greater chance that the increased weight can put strain on the muscles and joints of the back.
• Make sure your child's back pack has a waist strap, this will also help support the backpack, and make sure the weight is being distributed evenly.
• The total weight of your child's backpack should NEVER exceed 5-10% of the child's total body weight.

Ways to decrease Backpack usage:

• Check if your child's textbook is available electronically. This way your child can leave his/her textbook at school, while still having access to it at home.
• Ask the school or teacher to lend you the textbook so that your child can have one copy at home and one at school. This will help decrease the overall weight (and amount of stuff!) your child needs to bring home on a daily basis.
• Try having your child use a “rolling backpack”. This will help prevent too much repeatedly strain on your child’s back muscles and joints.
  
  
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