Preventing Back Pain in Children through the Right Backpack
Backpacks are popular with children. When worn properly, with is equally distributed across the back. This then minimized shoulder and neck injuries, which are often experienced when lugging a shoulder bag, a messenger bag, or a briefcase. Backpacks are widely preferred as the back and the abdominal muscles evenly support the weight of the bag. When used incorrectly or if they are too heavy, they can strain the muscles and the joints, resulting to back pain. Thus, backpacks have to be chosen properly to avoid back-related injuries in kids.
Doctors have several recommendations when it comes to selecting the ideal backpack for a child. According to them, a child should carry no more than 10 to 15 percent of their body weight in their rucksacks. Hence, a kid who weighs 60 pounds should carry a bag weighing 9 pounds, maximum. Also, specific types of backpacks can lead to nerve pressure around the neck. Likewise, professionals advise against placing the backpack on one shoulder, hanging by a strap.
Common back pain complaints and their effects
Parents should make it a point to check the weight carried in the backpacks of their children to avoid back pain. There are signs to watch out for that say a child may be suffering from back pain due to an incorrectly chosen backpack: lugs around a backpack that weighs more than 15 percent of body weight; complains of back pain; walking bent over to compensate for the weight of the backpack; and, complains of numbness or tingling in the arms or hands.
When children experience these symptoms, parents need to be alert and make the necessary changes, such as switching to a backpack that is right for their body weight. Overlooking these complaints can lead to injuries such as nerve pressure around the neck, which results to neck or shoulder pain or even muscle spasms. When the weight of the backpack pulls the child backward, it puts the spine in an abnormal position, resulting to neck, shoulder or back pain. Kids who carry their backpacks in one shoulder are also in danger of developing back pain because the weight on one shoulder upsets the movement and balance of the body.
In the event that back pain is experienced as a result of an unsuitable backpack, massaging the sore area with a pain cream containing natural ingredients such as MAXX Relief All Natural Pain Relief Cream relieves the soreness and relaxes the knots so that relief is immediately experienced. In addition, it is vital that the backpack is changed to an appropriate one right away to prevent further injury.
Backpack recommendations include choosing a backpack with the following characteristics: sturdy but lightweight material, weighing not more than 10 to 12 percent of the body weight of the child; shoulder straps that are at least 2 inches wide, are adjustable and padded; has padding on the back; preferably with a waist or hip strap; does not hang more than 4 inches below the waistline; and has individualized compartments.
The right backpack prevents the development of back pain and other related injuries. Children who understand the significance of ergonomics may avoid injuries at home or in school. Protecting their back aids in helping to prevent trauma and lifelong back injury.