PRHHEALTH
Joseph P. Badolato D.O. Board Certified General Practice
Is your backpack weighing you down?
1818 E. Passyunk Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19148 215-468-2553 Fax 215-468-1096 Hours by Appointment
by James E. Moylan, D.C.
W
ith the new school year comes new shoes, new school clothes and a new backpack. There is increasing research showing the need for awareness of backpack safety due to a significant rise in injuries associated to misuse and overuse. Larger is not necessarily better. The bigger the backpack, the more things kids will try to fill it with. Children are going through growth spurts, so their biomechanical or spinal balance may be difficult to control. Adding significant weight to their spine adds more stress and forces compensation. The bad postural habits they learn while growing can carry into adulthood. Backpack Basics The weight of the backpack should never be more than 10%
of their body weight. The backpack should not be carried below their waist. The backpack should have padded straps or harness and both straps should be worn to balance out the added weight distribution. Wearing the backpack with one strap may look “cool”, but is actually a quick way to create spinal stress and increase the chances of scoliosis. The backpack should have multiple compartments that prevent overstuffing, force balanced distribution, and prevent sharp items from poking into their backs while being carried. Reducing the size of the backpack will also prevent increased injury should the student trip and fall. Have your children checked yearly for scoliosis and update their backpacks yearly, as well. prh
Dr. James Moylan, D.C., Chiropractic Physician, is a member of the RowHome Magazine Business Network 74
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