AUSTRALIAN CHILDREN are at RISK of PERMANENT SPINAL DAMAGE because of INCORRECTLY PACKED and FITTED SCHOOL BACKPACKS
Adult back pain and spinal disorders may stem from childhood activities including carrying a heavily loaded backpack for 12 years or more of schooling.
Many of the current bags children are using may be fashionable, but unless they allow for even distribution across the back, they can cause pain and long term spinal discomfort.
School can be a challenging, tiring and even stressful time for children of all ages, so ensuring they are as comfortable as possible is important to both their physical and mental development.
Back pain often casued by backpacks
According to an international study, daily backpack carrying is a frequent cause of discomfort for school children. School backpacks were felt to be heavy by 79.1% of children, to cause fatigue by 65.7%, and to cause back pain by 46.1% (Negrini, S., & Carabalona, R. (2002). Backpacks on! Schoolchildren’s Perceptions of Load, Associations with Back Pain and Factors Determining the Load. Spine , 27(2), 187-195.)
Chiropractors can educate parents, teachers and students about spinal health care
Chiropractors are uniquely positioned to educate parents, teachers and students about spinal health care through their minimum five years university training. Each week, there are approximately 200,000 visits to Australian chiropractors for a broad range of reasons.
Chiropractic care has been proven to be effective, and can restore correct function and relieve pain symptoms associated with the carrying of heavy backpacks.
Chiropractic possesses an excellent safety record, and through their five year university training, chiropractors are the spinal health experts.
Click here to download this article in PDF format about tips for carrying a school backpack and caring for your spine. Pain in the back for kids!
