Be Prepared for the Backpack Bully!
The countdown has begun--school is just around the corner. While preparing to send your child up a grade, to a new school, to meet new teachers and new friends, beware of the latest bully… the backpack.
40 million teenagers carry a backpack to school each day. This may seem harmless enough but it can cause painful back and neck problems and i
njuries for students who don’t pack or carry them carefully. Filled with books, folders, planners, and media players, today’s backpack can easily weigh over 20 pounds. For a 65-pound child, this is over 30% of their body weight!
Facts About Backpack Bully
Heavy backpacks have a destructive impact on the posture and spinal health of children; Today’s heavy loads are causing injuries that can last a lifetime if precautions are not taken; 55% of students carry more than the recommended national guidelines of 10-15% of body weight (Simmons College, April, 2001); Up to 60% of children will experience back pain by the same time they reach 18 years of age (University of Michigan); The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) estimates that 7,277 emergency room visits each year result from injuries related to book bags. The CPSC also
reported that backpack related injuries are up 330% since 1996;
In addition, a recent scientific experiment found that carrying a backpack alters the mobility of spinal bones, leading to restricted movement—a risk factor for pain (Surg Radiol Anat; 21: 109-13); Yet another study used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to examine the effect of backpacks on the intervertebral disc of the spine—the fluid “pillows” between spinal bones. According to the report, backpacks alter the fluid content if these discs, a risk factor for disc herniation (“slipped” disc) and osteoarthritis (Spine 1999; 15; 24: 1015-22); Many children, teens and adults are carrying up to 40 pounds and are potentially injuring themselves. Healthcare professionals advise that individuals carry no more than 10-15% of their body weight on their backs.
Child’s Weight | National Guideline | Recommended Pack Weight |
50 lbs. | 10-15% | 5 to 7.5 lbs. |
80 lbs. | 10-15% | 8 to 12 lbs. |
100 lbs. | 10-15% | 10 to 15 lbs. |
130 lbs | 10-15% | 13 to 19.5 lbs |
Signs of a Backpack Injury
Ask people to raise their hands. When doing so, if they can answer yes to the following questions, it is likely they are suffering from a subluxation—or a misaligned spine which can cause irritation to the nerves exiting from the spine:
- Do your fingers hurt?
- Do your shoulders hurt?
- Do you have lower back pain?
- Do you have neck discomfort?
- Is your back and neck tired at the end of the day?
If the answer is yes to any of these, it may be time to re-examine the weight of the backpack and what other options exist. Of course, you can’t tell your children not to bring their textbooks to and from school. But if the consequence of a consistently overloaded backpack is neck, shoulder and back pain and possibly long-term injury, it may be time to look for new options. Here are some ideas:
Every Sunday empty out your child’s backpack and review what they have stuffed inside. You would be surprised what items accumulate inside that add unnecessary weight. If this is a teenager, find out if they need to carry all their books all the time, or is their schedule Monday, Wednesday and Friday different from Tuesday and Thursday;
- Choose a backpack with thickly padded shoulder straps;
To learn more ...
Children are still growing and developing skeletal maturity. Young developing spines respond best to corrective measures BEFORE they reach adulthood! As the new school season is coming quickly, prepare ahead for this type of school bully
. Visit or call Dr. Burns for your child's posture evaluation and to learn more on the proper use of a backpack. Yes, we treat children too!
P.S. Children love to see the Chiropractor!
Dr. Burns recognizes the value of preventive care and the role it plays in finding true wellness. With regular adjustments, spinal health is maintained, encouraging proper nervous system function, and allowing the body to perform at its best!