When it comes to your child's school backpack this year, the experts say 'lighten your load'.
Health experts told Fox News Digital that it is important for parents not to send their children back to school119} Carrying a heavy, overweight book bag Because a heavy backpack costs more than many people realize.
What is the toll? .
According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission , an estimated annual average of 7,500 children under the age of 19 was backpacking from 2017 to 2019. was treated in the emergency room for injuries related to
One of the parents of a 12-year-old girl told Fox News Digital that her daughter had been complaining of upper back and neck pain for months.
At first, the Long Island, New York-based mother attributed her daughter's pain to her sports activities.
However, when she went to see a doctor, she learned that her mother was to blame for her daughter's rucksack.
"She picked up a rucksack with books in it and walked from classroom to classroom throughout the day, carrying the bag to school. It's a big deal," her mother told her Fox News Digital.
Her daughter had to attend several weeks of sessions involving osteopathic manipulation of her spine due to strains in her neck and upper back. .
Health experts say: Parents and guardians should look for the following warning signs that a child's backpack is too heavy.
Child appears to struggle when putting on and taking off backpack
Child's posture changes while backpacking
Child experiences tingling or numbness in arms and legs
Child has red marks on shoulder from backpack straps
Child complains of pain when wearing a backpack
Dr. David Gentile is an osteopathic physician and clinician in Rocky Point, New York, examining patients' spines. It deals with health issues .
The doctor told Fox News Digital about the effect of heavy backpacks on students' posture. He also said that heavy backpacks can alter the natural curve of the spine, affecting a child's ability to maintain ideal posture. , the use of comfortable chairs at work, the use of sit-stand desks all the time,” he said.
Thus, “it is clear that we have become more conscious of proper work ergonomics. To improve healththese "Maybe it's time to really educate our kids about comfort and functional change," said Gentile.
Doctors also said public health action was needed to proactively prevent this pain in children.
Gentile similarly states, " There are many ways to mitigate the unfortunate reality of back pain in young children. Start by identifying early predisposing factors.
He said, ``The introduction of physical therapists into physical education classes and the education of teachers, administrators, children, and their families about proper ergonomics can all be beneficial.
Edward Farrell, co-founder and partner of Physical Solutions Physical Therapy in Bethpage, New York, told Fox News Digital that backpacks are like harmless back-to-school items. Said it might be seen. It will cause problems with the spine of young people.
Children often strategize their navigation from hallways, lockers to classrooms, making as few stops as possible to lockers, even if they stop at lockers.”
Pharrell, who is also a certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, saysA backpack full of books can lead to potential problems, especially if they weigh a significant percentage of a student's body weight.
"Imagine a 100-pound kid carrying her 30-pound backpack all day long," Farrell said.
He also noted that the problem was exacerbated when a student dangled a backpack over one shoulder, resulting in spinal imbalance, muscle strain, shoulder injury, and in extreme cases, functional injury.
"Even when used properly, [i.e., children] may not carry the pack over their shoulders as the design intended." However, the heavy load of many books causes students to slouch, round the shoulders, thoracic kyphosis and lengthen the cervical spine," Farrell said.
He added:
Bill Schwartz, a physical therapist at the Schwart Institute in Massapequa, New York, works with Division 1 players and high school students at Long Island College in Brookville, New York. I'm here.
Schwarz told Fox News Digital that it is important for students to make frequent trips to the locker to lose weight.
He echoed Farrell's saying that using just one strap puts undue strain on that side of the body.
Schwarz also said: Too loose and the bag will hang down, increasing torque on the mid and lower spine. ''
When lifting the backpack off the floor, it is important that the child does not bend the knees, adding to the strain on the lower back, Schwarz said. I'm here.
A physiotherapist offers the following his seven tips when choosing a backpack.
- Pads on the back and wide padded shoulders He chooses a lightweight backpack with straps.
- Use both shoulder straps when carrying a backpack.
- The backpack must be centered on his back, no more than 4 inches from his waistline.
- Choose a backpack with multiple compartments and a waist belt.
- Limit the load to less than 10%-15% of the student's body weight (if a child he is 100 lbs, the backpack weight he must not exceed 10-15 lbs) .
- Use all compartments and place the heaviest books and items near the back.
- Wheeled backpacks may seem like a good option, but they also present challenges like climbing up and down stairs and rolling in grass and snow.