Are your kids carrying too much?

My children carry back packs to school, how does this affect their backs?

Dr Joelle Johnson

Most children carry backpacks to school.  A rule is for the child to only carry a maximum of 10% of their body weight (an 80 pound child should only carry a MAXIMUM of 8 pounds).  Look in your child’s pack and see if there are items that are not necessary to carry daily to reduce the weight.  The way your child carries the pack is also very important, both shoulders straps need to be used to balance the weight across the shoulders and back properly.  If there is a waist strap this should be utilized to maintain a proper center of gravity. There has been a higher incidence of back and neck pain due to backpack use in school children and teens.  The added stress to the spine can result in subluxation and put stress on the nervous system.
Dr Joelle Johnson is located at Family First Chiropractic and Wellness, 142 Erickson drive, Red Deer, 403-347-3261http://www.family1stchiro.ca/index.php?p=50985