School bags - Are they harming your child's spine?

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A heavy school bag which is carried incorrectly over 13 years of schooling can result in chronic back problems that may continue into adulthood.A study published in the Australian Spine journal investigated the link between backpacks and back pain in school children.

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The study found:

79.1 % of children say their backpacks feel heavy. 65.7 % report feeling fatigued by the weight of their backpack.
46.1 % report back pain caused by their backpack.

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Buying the Right Backpack

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If your child’s school does not have a set school bag, then shop around and try to find the correct one with the following features:

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• Make sure the backpack is appropriate for your child’s size

• When the shoulder straps are adjusted the bottom of the backpack should be just above the child’s waist.

• The backpack should not be hanging low over the buttocks

• Adjustable shoulder straps

• The rear of the backpack should be padded for comfort

• The backpack should have separate compartments to help with packing

• A moulded frame and/or adjustable hip strap, so that the weight of the filled backpack will rest on your child’s pelvis instead of their shoulders and spine.

• Canvas backpacks are lighter than leather varieties

• Children are fashion conscious and vulnerable to peer pressure, so make sure you take your child with you when buying their backpack. If they like their bag, then they are more likely to wear it correctly.

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At Proactive we believe it is important to provide children with the best early education to spine care. Ensuring that they practice good habits from an early age.