Humpday Health: Tips on backpacks to protect kids’ spines

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — “Parents are always concerned about how much weight is in a child’s backpack and how it affects the spine,” said Dr. Kevin Johnson of Graybar Chiropractic in Wilmington.

A backpack is a necessary part of any child’s life as they go through school, but if they’re not careful, it can affect an important part of their body.

“The spine’s really there for five reasons, one of which is strength, stability, flexibility. It protects the spinal cord most importantly and also provides us with shock absorption,” said Dr. Johnson.

Dr. Johnson recommends that backpacks should only weigh about five to fifteen percent of the child’s total body weight and the weight isn’t only factor in causing back problems for kids.

If the backpack is situated too low on the hips or if the child only wears one strap, they will compensate and cause more issues.

“They have a tendency to shift their head forward, but they also shift their chest forward as well, which will also create stress and strain on the neck, the shoulders, as well as the low back which can lead to headaches, chronic neck and low back pain with these children that we don’t want to go down that path,” said Dr. Johnson.

Potentially causing more serious problems down the road.

“They can start to develop spinal conditions, which I’m actually starting to see at a younger age here in the office,” said Dr. Johnson.

So consider all these tips when picking a new bag for your child. It could mean the difference between a healthy spine and a lifetime of back pain.