Over the past few days, we’ve been seeing our young people go back to school. Did you know that in Quebec, more than 50% of young people experience lower back pain before they reach adolescence? Research suggests that inappropriate use of backpacks is one of the main causes.
By following a few simple rules, you can prevent back pain when using a backpack. Here are a few tips:
- Choose a bag with a padded back, the width of your child’s back, wide shoulder straps, narrower straps under the arms and multiple pockets to distribute the weight of objects.
- Place heavier objects close to the body, in the center of the bag, and sharp objects towards the outside to avoid pressure points.
- Adjust the length of the shoulder straps to avoid the bag coming down on the buttocks.
- Check the weight of the bag. Once loaded, it should weigh no more than 10% to 15% of the child’s body weight. Fasten the bag’s waist belt so that the weight rests on the child’s hips, not his shoulders.
- Never carry your bag over one shoulder or slung over your shoulder.
- Do not attach the lunch box to the backpack. Advise him to hold it in his hand.
- Sort out your backpack to get rid of any unnecessary papers or objects that accumulate over the days.
If, despite these adjustments, your child’s back pain persists, or if he or she has neck or shoulder pain, a consultation with a physiotherapy professional would be appropriate. He or she will be able to determine the possible sources of the problem and find solutions to help you resolve it.
This information is taken from the blog of the Ordre professionnel de la physiothérapie du Québec. For more details, please visit the blog at :
Happy back-to-school!
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