As we are getting ready to send our kids back school, we should be take a moment to make sure their backpacks are also ready. About 79 million students across all age groups will carry a backpack to school. In 2007 there were more than 2,000 backpack related injuries that were treated by medical professionals. Here are a few tips to make sure everyone is ready for the first day of school.
Wearing the backpack
A backpack should have wide padded shoulder straps. This can prevent pinching of the blood vessels and nerve that go to the neck, arms and hand.
Both straps should be worn to distribute the weight of the backpack evenly across the student’s back.
The shoulder straps should be snug to hold the backpack up and not pull the student backwards
There are different sizes backpacks and a backpack should fit across the child’s back and not hang lower than 4 inches below the child’s waistline.
Utilize the waist and sternal straps to help distribute the weight
Loading the backpack
A backpack should not weigh more 10% of the student’s bodyweight.
Heavy large items should be closer to the student’s back
Smaller items should be stored in side pockets to distribute weight more evenly
Clean out the backpack at least once a week to eliminate unnecessary items in the backpack.
Warning signs the backpack is too heavy
Difficulty when putting on or taking the backpack
Pain when wearing the backpack
Tingling or numbness n the shoulders and hands
Red strap marks on the shoulders
Changes in posture while wearing the backpack
References
http://fontainebleaujunior.stpsb.org/backpackinfo/whatsalltheflapabout.pdf
https://www.aota.org/~/media/Corporate/Files/Backpack/meet-your-backpack-8-2014.pdf
If you have any questions or would like a free assessment of your child’s backpack call us at Rehab Solutions.