Backpacks and Your Children’s Health- Can They Really Cause Your Child Harm?

BACKPACK SAFETY: As the school year approaches learn how to prevent subtle but serious stress and injury to your child's spine. What is the acceptable backpack to bodyweight percentage? Read further to find out.
By: Powersource Chiropractic
 
Aug. 23, 2010 - PRLog -- As the beginning of the school year approaches we are always looking forward to our children doing well in school. We make sure they have their books packed away in their backpacks and ready to be taken to classes the next day. We make sure they bring home their books and do their homework at night. But during all of this bookwork transfer, are we overlooking a subtle yet serious threat to our child’s health? What we may be overlooking is a threat to our children's spine more sinister than any fall off the swing set.
Recently scientists have begun to examine the effects of carrying heavy backpacks full of books. What they have discovered is that carrying heavy backpacks may pose a serious threat to your child's spinal development. A team of researchers at Auburn University has studied 421 students and found that backpacks carried with one-strap promoted lateral spinal bending and shoulder elevation. Additionally, they noted carrying a backpack promoted significant forward lean of head and trunk resulting in abnormal strain of muscles.
“While carrying a backpack to school every morning may seem harmless enough, it can cause painful back and neck problems and injuries for students who do not pack or carry their backpacks properly. It can also lead to long-term health problems. As a chiropractor, I am acutely aware of short-and long-term concerns this may produce,” says Dr. Scott Dubrul of Powersource Chiropractic. “Most people equate their health to how they feel and parents reflect that same status upon their kids. They rely on the presence of pain symptoms to decide whether or not their children are healthy and free of sickness,” says Dr. Dubrul. “But they may be overlooking their child’s postural pattern as a gateway to their child’s health.”
The scientists from this study stated that the average backpack represented 17% of the child's body weight. If we apply this standard to adults, it would be the equivalent of the average 150 pound adult carrying a 26-pound backpack. This would explain why 67.2% of the subjects suffered muscle soreness, 50.8% suffered back pain, 24.5% suffered numbness, and 14.7% suffered shoulder pain. The researchers went on to conclude that the daily physical stresses associated with carrying a backpack on one shoulder significantly alters the posture and gait of the youth.  
“Basically what researchers are finding is that subtle, daily physical stresses to the spine in the form of weighted loads like backpacks can cause hidden stresses to the body, specifically in the form of postural imbalances,” states Dr. Dubrul.  “And posture affects and moderates every function from breathing to hormonal production. Spinal pain, headache, mood, blood pressure, pulse and lung capacity are among the functions most easily influenced by poor posture.”
The authors of the Auburn study also state that the effects of weight bearing induced stress is a serious issue when considering children and youths who are experiencing physical growth and motor development.
So what can a parent do to help reduce the sheer physical load on their child’s spine if a backpack must be used? If your child does use backpacks to carry books Dr. Dubrul recommends that you reduce the physical stress associated with carry backpacks by doing the following:
1. Make sure that the weight of the backpack does not exceed more than 15% of the child's total body weight. This is especially important for children in grades 1-4.
2. Avoid using backpacks or athletic bags that have only one strap.
3. Ensure that children wear both straps on their shoulders to distribute weight evenly. This will significantly reduce book bag carrying stresses.  
4. Use the waist belt at all times  
5. Use of a roller bag is best if there are not a lot of stairs in the school.  
6. Have a spinal evaluation by a chiropractor to determine if any structural problems are present.

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Dr. Scott Dubrul of Powersource Chiropractic has been practicing on the central coast for over 17 years and uses a comprehensive approach and provides specific, gentle adjustments. Dr. Dubrul takes a holistic approach to caring for the body and mind in order to prevent disease and empower individuals of all ages to lead happier, healthier lives. Most recently, Dr. Dubrul has been studying and teaching the scientific research which supports the human genetic requirements in respect to nutrition, exercise, thoughts and emotions. Dr. Dubrul often shares this information in workplaces all over San Luis County.
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Source:Powersource Chiropractic
Email:***@powersourcechiro.com Email Verified
Zip:93401
Tags:Backpack Safety, Chiropractic, Scott Dubrul, Posture, Back Injury, Children
Industry:Chiropractic
Location:San Luis Obispo - California - United States
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