Backpack Safety

With the school year underway, it is crucial for your kids to have a great backpack that does not cause any aches or pains along the spine. Backpacks are getting heavier and heavier each year with the weight of textbooks and things. They are lugging the backpacks onto and off the bus or walking with them to and from school. And then add on lunch bags and water bottles to weigh our poor kids down.

With the weight of textbooks that is put on the shoulders of kids, this can force the kids to lean backwards. For them to fix this out of balance weight, kids push their hips forwards or arch their back. This can also cause kids to change how they are walking and put pressure on joints in the hips, knees and ankles.

Now what about kids that put their backpack on one shoulder?? These kids will force their weight onto the other side to balance out all the weight. This can cause strain along the shoulder, neck, back and worsen some conditions along the spine, such as scoliosis.

Spinal misalignment can start at a very young age and when the body tries to shift and adjust to make up for the weight discrepancy, this can lead to long term problems. Kids grow and change regularly, but this can be affected if they are repetitively standing in abnormal postures.

We all want the best for our kids and want to set them up for success in the future. We want to make sure that they are protecting their spines and becoming strong as they grow up. Ideally kids also get some time outside to play sports and have fun before and after school that helps to balance out all the stress and strain that is put on the body.

Proper spinal alignment will reduce stress and strain along the joints in the entire body. It will also help to protect the spine for full alignment, as well as eliminate muscle imbalances. This will also help decrease the risk of injury with exercise and everyday tasks. Posture is important for preventing fatigue along the body in addition to preventing back, neck, knee, shoulder pain and more.

So as a parent, what can YOU do to help your kiddos??