Now that the kids are back in school, we’ve seen quite a few kids coming in complaining of back pain. One possible cause of this could be from carrying their heavy backpacks to and from school. The maximum weight of a loaded backpack should be no more than 10%-15% of your child’s body weight. For example, if your child weighs 100 pounds, the maximum their backpack should weigh is 10-15 pounds. A lot of parents and kids tell me that their backpack weighs 20-30% of their body weight!! Only pack essentials, try to use on-line textbooks if available, and make sure the contents of the pack are centered and that you use both shoulder straps. NEVER carry a backpack on one shoulder. Don’t ignore any complaints of pain from your children. Chiropractic adjustments can help, as well as instruction on improving posture, and we can give them back strengthening exercises and stretches.
Achtermann Chiropractic
