Heavy Backpacks

The school year is in full swing and chances are that when you see your kids, their backpacks won't be far behind. Backpacks are useful and convenient for carrying school supplies, but if your child's backpack is bulging, more than his mind may be getting a workout.

Carrying too much weight in their backpacks for long periods can strain or sprain muscles supporting the spine and cause temporary nerve damage. Heavy backpacks may also affect your child's posture and the way he walks. Backpacks don't cause permanent structural damage to the spine, but they can cause a painful day at school.

Prevention

• To protect your child from back sprains and strains, follow these simple tips:
• Make sure he knows how to wear his backpack correctly—on both shoulders, not just one. The backpack should be the right size for your child and should be well-padded in the shoulder area. Adjust the straps so the bag rests in the middle of his back, without being tight enough to restrict blood flow in his shoulders.
• Watch for any signs of back pain. If your child complains of back pain, it's time to lighten his load. Let common sense be your guide. If it looks too heavy for him to carry, it probably is.
• Look for alternatives, such as bags that can be both carried and wheeled. Avoid athletic bags that are carried on one shoulder.
• Work with your child's school to create solutions. Ask your child's teachers for an extra or used set of books to keep at home to cut down on the weight being carried home every day. Encourage the school to schedule more frequent locker breaks, so children won't have to carry all of their books for the entire day.

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