Is Your Child's Backpack Causing Spinal Injury?

Almost every child seems to carry a backpack in one form or another.  Although these bags have become as common as pencils and paper, if not worn or used properly, heavy backpacks can have a destructive impact on posture and the developing spines of children that can last a lifetime. Recent studies have reported that as much as 64 percent of children suffer from backpack related back pain.  65 percent of adolescent doctor visits are due to backpack injuries (reported by NPR, October 1998).  The Consumer Product Safety Commission reported that 3,300 children ages 5-14 were treated in the ER for backpack related injuries.  There is also an alarming increase in mild to moderate scoliosis (abnormal lateral curvature of the spine) in young children due to heavy and improperly worn backpacks  Excess weight on a spine that is growing and developing can create injuries that will heal wrong and, as the child goes through growth spurts, will grow wrong. 

Common problems associated with backpack injury are:  neck pain, upper and middle back pain, lower back pain, arm and/or hand numbness, shoulder pain, headaches, fatigue, postural distortion, abnormal gait.

Here are some guidelines on what to look for in a backpack, how much weight your child can handle, and how to use it.

 At Langley Family Chiropractic, we are committed to helping our children grow up healthy and strong!  If you have not had your child's spine checked recently, please call today to schedule your consultation and examination.  What you do today to stay healthy reaps the rewards later in life.  Let's give our kids a great start to their school year!