Morrison Valerie J DC Ccsp

Information may not be reliable

Dr. Morrison listens to your problems and goals and provides treatment designed to help you reach your optimal functioning and health.

Yes, Its Heavy - Its My Backpack
Young children are carrying such disproportionately heavy backpacks that theyre suffering from back pain much earlier than previous generations, the American Chiropractic Association (ACA) says. A recent Italian study showed the average child caries a backpack that would be the equivalent of a 39-pound burden for a 176-pound man, or a 29-pound load for a 132-pound woman. Of the children studied, 60 percent had experienced back pain as a result of carrying a heavy backpack.
Tips for parents to ensure your child is not carrying too much. (These tips are just as valuable for the adults.)
Make sure the child's backpack weighs no more than 5 to 10 percent of his or her body weight. A heavier backpack will cause the child to bend forward in an attempt to support the weight on his back.
The backpack should never hang lower than four inches below the childs waistline. A backpack that hangs too low increases the weight on the shoulders, causing the child to lean forward when walking.
A backpack with individual compartments helps in positioning the packs contents most effectively. Make sure that priority or bulky objects are packed away from the area that will rest on the childs back.
Bigger is not necessarily better. The more room there is in a backpack, the more the child will carry - and the heavier the backpack will be.
Urge the child to wear both shoulder straps. Lugging around the backpack around by one strap can cause the disproportionate shift of weight to one side, leading to neck and muscles spasms and low-back pain.
The shoulder straps should be as wide as possible and adjustable so the backpack can be fitted to the childs body. Straps that are too loose can cause the backpack to dangle uncomfortably, potentially causing spinal misalignment and pain.

Educational presentations on Health and Chiropractic topics.

Press here or the BACK BUTTON on your browser to return to the previous page.