Backpack Safety

Although people commonly think of back pain as a sign of aging, it can happen to anyone. Among children, improper use of backpacks is one of the most common causes of back, shoulder, and neck pain. Although we can provide pain relief at the Central Virginia Chiropractic Center, we want our patients to know how to adjust their backpacks in order to stay healthy.

Children should lift backpacks while bending their knees. If the backpack weighs more than 15% of their bodyweight, some things in it need to be removed. Wearers should avoid packing anything they aren’t likely to use and if accessories such as wheels and pull-out handles can’t be used at their school, they should stick to a backpack without these. It is a good idea to not use a backpack that is large enough to hold more weight than the wearer can handle.

The backpack should have thick, padded shoulder straps, and ideally, a chest strap. This will allow more even weight distribution (and is what makes a backpack preferable to a duffle bag or a purse). It should rest on the center of the wearer’s back, not hanging below the waist. The shoulder straps should be tight, but not so much that they pinch. Call us if your child is complaining of pain, tingling or numbness in their shoulders or arms.

Dr. Darlene Holland operates Central Virginia Chiropractic Center, Inc. at 7327 Timberlake Rd, Lynchburg, Virginia, 24502. To schedule an appointment, visit CentralVAChiro.com or call 434-237-0413.