Have you recently attempted to lift your child’s school backpack? If you have been surprised at the added weight, you are not alone.

Those of you who have been done with school for a while probably do not remember the weight that the books, writing devices, art supplies, and other odds and ends young people need can add up to. I’m sure many a parent has wondered if their child has secretly taken up bowling lessons during school hours.

Not surprisingly, many school-aged children are now complaining of back pain, neck pain, and tension headaches. Waiting rooms in chiropractors’ offices are filled with parents who are bringing in children to be treated.

Peer pressure as early as second grade may cause children to carry their backpacks looped over one shoulder instead of on their backs where the weight is evenly distributed. But since everyone is doing it, nobody wants to look like a kindergartener or first grader anymore. This means that even a seven or eight-year-old may be quickly headed in the direction of shoulder and back pain, and the problems may worsen with age.

Some chiropractors have pointed out that heavy backpacks are contributory to spine deformities in bodies which are still growing, and it is not known whether or not the deformities will self-correct or if surgeries may be necessary down the road to put the damage right.

Luckily, as a parent, you have a number of options available to you. To follow chiropractic advice regarding your child’s backpack and back health, make sure that you do the following:

Reguarly Take Out Anything That’s Unnecessary 

Take an active interest in your child’s backpack. Know what she or he is carrying around and eliminate non-essential books, tools, and especially toys.

Insist on Proper Use

Do not let your child carry the bag on only one shoulder and do not purchase a bag that is to be slung over one shoulder only. Instead, insist that your child wears a backpack properly.

Make the Correct Adjustments

Adjust your child’s backpack prior to the beginning of the school year. Periodically throughout the year, readjust it as needed.

The goal is for your child to have a backpack that – when fully loaded – does not hang below the waist for more than about five to six inches. While a low hanging backpack is considered cool in some venues, it also forces the shoulders to absorb too much weight and will contribute greatly to shoulder pains, neck pains, and even headaches!

Get The Right Size

When purchasing your child’s backpack, steer the little one toward picking out one that offers a number of different compartments and is not too big. While some schools specify the size of the backpack a child should carry, you as the parent know best what your child can handle. Furthermore, ensure that the shoulder straps are wide and padded.

If you follow these tips from your friendly chiropractor, your child will have a much easier time in school and will not complain of aches and pains. Nonetheless, taking her or him to the chiropractor every so often is a good idea to nip painful spine deformities in the bud.

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