DC CHIROPRACTOR DISCUSSES PROPER CHILD BACKPACKS

Parents tend to overload their children with unbalanced and heavy backpacks, despite the fact that they are smaller and still developing. Back pain is the number one health problem Americans suffer from, and it often starts with oversized backpacks. Listen to the advice from a Chino CA chiropractic office when it comes proper child backpacks.

WASHINGTON DC: SELECTING BACKPACKS

First, choose a backpack which is supportive and will not put excessive stress on a child's back. The material of child backpacks should be lightweight and proportionate to the body size of the children. The idea of buying large backpacks to fit more in them is a bad one.

You can balance the weight of your backpack by choosing a backpack with several compartments. When shopping, look for padded shoulder straps at least 2 inches wide as well as a waist strap.

Packing the Backpack

If you are packing a backpack, make sure to distribute the weight evenly. It should not weigh more than 15% of your child's weight. The child will try to counterbalance this weight by bending forward. Pack the heaviest things in the backpack closest to your body. If it's not necessary, leave it out.

WEARING A BACKPACK

The shoulder straps of a child wearing a back pack should be adjusted to bring the pack close to their body. The weight will be evenly distributed over the spine, preventing misalignment. The weight distribution should be equal, so it's vital that children use both straps. It's important to show your child the proper way to pick up a backpack by bending at the knees.

POTENTIAL ISSUES

We don't think children have the same risk of injury as adults when they wear heavy backpacks. Washington DC chiropractic doctors will tell you that this is not true. Children can have many of the issues adults do. A heavy backpack is a common cause of:

Back and shoulder pain

Arm tingling and numbness

Poor posture

Reduced blood flow

Headache and neck Pain

Distorted natural spine curvature

Overcompensation of muscles can cause muscle strain

A backpack that is not properly designed can lead to a variety of health problems in later life. Contact our team at P Chiropractic if you are unsure how to proceed, or if your child has already shown some of these symptoms.

Schedule your appointment with the P Chiropractic DC team today at i[email protected]