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How to Avoid the Back to School Back Pack Pain

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by Kaushal on February 9, 2012

To avoid the back to school backache, the CAA recommends:
  • Backpacks should ideally be no heavier than 10 per cent of a student’s weight when packed.
  • Make sure the backpack is sturdy and appropriately sized – no wider than the student’s chest.
  • Choose a backpack with broad, padded shoulder straps.
  • Use both shoulder straps – never sling the pack over one shoulder.
  • Use waist straps attached – they are there for a good reason.
  • Don’t wear the backpack any lower than the hollow of the lower back.
  • Don’t overload the backpack – use school lockers and plan homework well in advance.
  • Place all heavy items at the base of the pack, close to the spine, for a better distribution of the weight.
“Going back to school should not mean putting your back out,” Dr. Billy Chow said. “What these results show is that while nearly all schoolchildren have bad posture while carrying backpacks, there is a lack of knowledge about how to identify what is bad posture, and therefore how to improve it.
“By raising awareness among parents, teachers and the public about the importance of good posture for schoolchildren, we can help reduce the cases of spinal injuries we see now and in the future.”
Visit www.whatsyourposture.com.au for more information and a simple tool that can help people check their family and friends’ postures. Any other questions feel free to visit us or give us a call on 9659 2666.
* Source:  CAA Media Release Feb 2012

School Backpacks

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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!

Discover for yourself why there’s so much more to chiropractic.
Call Necks Backs Sports now on (02) 9659 2666

Back to school a pain in the back?

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With bags this heavy, it’s no wonder many kids think school is a “pain in the back!”

AUSTRALIAN CHILDREN are at RISK of BACK  & SPINAL PAIN because of INCORRECTLY PACKED and FITTED SCHOOL 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%*.

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.

School can be a challenging time for children, so ensuring they are as comfortable as possible is important to their physical and mental development. Your chiropractor  can assess posture and measure your child up for a back pack as well as advise on the best way to wear a back pack.

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. Discover for yourself why there’s so much more to chiropractic.

* Negrini, S., & Carabalona, R. (2002). Backpacks on! School children’s Perceptions of Load,

Associations with Back Pain and Factors Determining the Load.  Spine , 27(2), 187-195.

© Chiropractors Association of Australia (National) Limited

www.chiropractors.asn.au

Tips for working towards a healthier heart

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by Ami-Bree Said

Cardiovascular disease – any condition of the heart and its blood vessels – is the leading cause of death in Australia. In 2012, it was responsible for 30% of all deaths, with that number set to rise due to Australia’s aging population1. While we cannot do anything about getting older, there are risk factors for cardiovascular disease that can be modified in order to reduce the chances of development.

The main modifiable risk factors for cardiovascular disease are:

  • High blood pressure (hypertension)
  • Tobacco use
  • Physical inactivity
  • Type II Diabetes
  • Obesity

Hypertension is the leading cause of cardiovascular disease, worldwide2. Whilst increased blood pressure is a part of aging, it can be reduced by a healthy low salt diet, regular physical activity and maintenance of a healthy weight range.

Smoking has numerous detrimental health implications, however, once an individual quits, the damaging effects begin to subside. For example, the risk of coronary heart disease is substantially reduced within 2 years of quitting. It has also been found that within 15 years of quitting, the individuals risk of cardiovascular disease returns to that of a non-smoker3.

Physical activity helps regulate body weight, while also improving the body’s use of insulin.  Being active has positive effects on blood pressure, blood lipid levels, blood glucose levels, blood clotting factors and blood vessel health. Evidence shows that even minimal increases in physical fitness have been accompanied by substantial decreases for cardiovascular risk – remember, every bit counts!

Type II Diabetes is the most common form of diabetes, accounting for 85-90% of all cases – 60% of this amount may be prevented4. Risk factors for Type II Diabetes go hand in hand with that of cardiovascular disease, therefore, by maintaining a healthy blood pressure, weight range and diet, an individual’s risk of both Type II Diabetes and cardiovascular disease may be reduced.

Obesity puts unnecessary stress on multiple aspects of the body. Being overweight increases blood pressure and increases the risk of developing Type II Diabetes. By decreasing processed food intake, increasing fruit and vegetable intake, and incorporating regular physical activity, body weight will drop and with it, multiple poor health predispositions.

By improving these five aspects of your health, the risk of cardiovascular disease may be significantly reduced.

  1. Australian Bureau of Statistics 2014, Causes of Death in Australia
  2. Mendis S, Puska P, Norrving B, Global Atlas on Cardiovascular Disease Prevention and Control, 2011, World Health Organisation
  3. The health consequences of smoking: A Report of the Surgeon General. Atlanta, Ga. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, CDC, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, 2004. Office on Smoking and Health Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The Role of the Podiatrist in the Treatment of Common Winter Sports Injuries

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By James Teo B.Sc (Podiatry) & Kaushal Bhuta Sports are vital for overall fitness. However, problems may arise in the feet, ankles, hips, knees and spine when increased stresses from sporting activities are placed on them. Often, simple warming up properly and choosing the right footwear is adequate in preventing injury. However, there are cases where there may be significant problems in requiring more specialized treatment. A Podiatrist’s management of sports injuries will usually involve footwear advice, simple exercises or stretches, and possibly the use of special insoles or orthotics. Treatment first involves a thorough examination of the structure and biomechanics of the foot. All too often, we do not listen to our bodies, even when there are problems. Pain is not normal during sporting activity, so it is important not to ignore it. Early and accurate diagnosis is the key to treating and preventing sports injuries in winter sports. More often than not, most of these conditions can be treated with the help of a Podiatrist in conjunction with your Chiropractor, using insoles or orthotics, or simply by advising on a change of footwear.

Common Sports Injuries of the Lower Leg Treated by Podiatrists

¨    Arch Strain/Pain

¨    Knee, Ankle & Foot Strain and Pain

¨    Plantar Fasciitis/Heel Spurs

¨    Pain on the balls of the feet

¨    Shin Splints

¨    Achilles Tendonitis and Calf Pain

¨    Groin & Hamstring Pain

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