Orthopedic surgeon Dr. Joshua Hyman of New York-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital in New York City explains that children are carrying more than they should in their backpacks to school. This added weight may be causing back issues and back pain. Parents can help alleviate these problems by remaining cautious of the weight of their child’s backpack, decreasing the amount of items in their backpack, encouraging their child to use both backpack straps, using the correct size backpack with an appropriate level of padding, and observing if their child is having issues with their back.
Key Takeaways:
- A child’s backpack can cause pain if overloaded, or off-balance.
- Parent’s should check their child’s pack to make sure they are wearing it properly, that it weighs no more than 15% of their weight, and that it fits their child properly, and is adequately padded.
- Parents should discuss with their child’s teacher the number of books and other supplies their child carries if weight is an issue, and should discuss any further problems with an orthopedist.
“Backpacks can mean backaches for schoolchildren, but an orthopedic surgeon has advice for parents and kids about how to keep soreness at bay.”
Read more: http://journalstar.com/lifestyles/health-med-fit/take-the-back-pain-out-of-backpacks/article_ad95bca4-6801-50d9-b890-9f79ee4b3443.html
