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Back to School Back Pack Safety
by Dennis Buckley
Back-to-School Backpack Safety
By Dr. Dennis R. Buckley
Going back to school is an exciting time for parents and students. Through the hustle and bustle of new teachers, classes, schedules, and friends, an often overlooked aspect of going back to school is backpack safety.
As a doctor of chiropractic who has practiced in Pasadena for 13 years, I have seen firsthand how the failure to choose the right backpack can have negative effects on a child's health. Children who wear backpacks that are too heavy, or improperly fitted, can develop serious back trouble that will plague them for years.
As many as 55 percent of today's students are carrying loads far in excess of the recommended 15% of body weight, with some students' packs topping the scales at an alarming 40 pounds. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, there has been nearly a 300 percent increase in backpack-related injuries among school children in America since 1996.
When 200 New England school nurses were surveyed, 66% reported seeing students with pain or injury that could be attributed to carrying backpacks that were too heavy. In October of 1999 the American Academy of Orthopedics stated that ''of more than 100 physicians surveyed'':
* 71% felt that backpacks are a clinical problem for children * 58% have seen patients complaining of back or shoulder pain related to backpacks * 65% recommended that a patient modify use of a backpack to improve or correct a back problem * 52% feel that backpack injury is a significant problem
An Auburn University study reported that heavy backpacks might be a threat to spinal development. In their survey sample, the average backpack was 17% of the child's weight. 67.2% of the children studied suffered muscle soreness, 50.8% back pain, 24.5% numbness and 14.7% shoulder pain.
Studies at John Hopkins Children Center show overloaded backpacks as the cause of shoulder or lower-back pain and poor posture. University of Michigan researchers estimate that up to 60% of children will experience back pain by the time they reach 18. National Public Radio reported that 65% of adolescents' visits to the doctor are for backpack related injuries.
The current student backpacks do not provide the ergonomic support necessary to prevent back injury for students carrying the average 30 lbs. of books. The fashion industry has ignored the many consumer and professional concerns regarding the ergonomics of packs. The backpack manufacturers are sidestepping the issue and blaming this problem on schools and the increased academics that require students to lug around more than 10% (as much as 40%) of their body weight.
As a doctor of chiropractic, my goal is to improve the health of the members of my community and my patients, maintain their wellbeing and prevent further injury. Given the weight of textbooks and the elimination of lockers at some schools for safety reasons, I and my colleagues at the California Chiropractic Association, believe raising awareness about backpack safety is more important than ever.
Parents and students need to know that often harm is occurring without obvious symptoms. Students may be experiencing mild symptoms now, such as mild headaches and lower back pain. Unfortunately, this could be a preview of coming ailments like chronic back pain and spine degeneration later in life.
One solution to heavy backpacks would be to reduce the weight of textbooks. Another solution is to have one set of textbooks in the classroom and a separate set at home. But, until changes are made, here are a few simple tips to keep in mind to help prevent backpack injuries.
Tips On Wearing Your Backpack Properly
* Distribute the weight evenly. Put heavier items on the bottom to keep the weight off your shoulders and maintain better posture. * Wear both shoulder straps unless your pack is designed for use on one shoulder. Carrying a heavy backpack using one shoulder strap can shift weight to one side, which can lead to neck and muscle spasms, low back pain and walking improperly * Choose backpacks that have heavily padded shoulder straps and a lumbar support. Non-padded straps dig into the shoulders causing pain due to compressed loading of the A/C joint and stress on the trapezius muscles. * Choose a backpack that has a lumbar cushion. The lumbar cushion will redistribute weight to the lower extremities, creating a fulcrum that facilitates and upright position. * Lift it right. Bend your knees when picking up a heavy backpack. * Carry only what is needed. Extra items add extra weight!
I recommend AirPack System Backpacks which are distinguished by an ergonomic design, with wider shoulder straps and a lumbar air cushion that transfers the weight of the pack's content to the top of the hips. This allows the weight to be carried partially by the body's structure. The AirPacks come in three sizes --small, medium, and large -- so that they may be individually fit to the child.
Of course proper use of any backpack must be observed and good health practices are necessary for overall health. I urge all parents to teach their children how to pack and carry a backpack correctly. Children deserve a painless ‘back'-to-school, and with a little help, they can have one.
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Dr. Buckley is a health care provider on the cutting edge of strategies and information to help you preserve and protect your health. To be successful in health you need to "Get Real & Get Going." This requires self responsibility and the courage to face up to where you are really at and where you may be headed. His information is straightforward and to the point with actions you can take immediately. His patients love him and now he is making his information available to everyone. Go to www.performance-advantage.net to sign up for his free e-zine.
Contact the author, Dennis Buckley
, at dennisbuckley@scuhs.edu
.