For most kids, the start of another school year is only a couple weeks away, and that means we’re in peak back to school shopping season. However, the fashionable or cheapest option on the shelves isn’t always the best product for your child’s spine. In today’s blog, we share some quick tips to keep in mind during back to school shopping so that your child’s spine remains healthy throughout the school year.
Back To School Shopping Tips
Backpacks cause thousands of back injuries each year, so don’t just pick one out for your child without doing a little research. Here are some qualities to look for in an ideal school backpack.
- Two Straps – Backpacks with one shoulder strap inherently put extra stress on one area of your spine and shoulders. Make sure your child has a backpack with two straps that help to evenly distribute the load across their spine. Also, talk to your kids about wearing their backpack the appropriate way.
- Avoid Rollers – You might believe that you’re doing right by your child’s back by getting them a backpack with rollers on it, but studies have shown that these may actually be linked to more injuries because kids need to lift them on the bus and up and down stairs, which can be jarring on the arms, shoulders and spine. Kids are also more likely to overload these backpacks with supplies since they aren’t physically carrying them, so when they do need to pick them up, they are grabbing a very heavy load. Avoid rolling backpacks if possible.
- Durable – Do some research on durable backpacks, and avoid the cheap and flimsy looking options. Not only will these options last longer, but they usually help to keep the contents from shifting or the backpack from sagging below your child’s waistline. This can help to prevent lower back pain.
- Adjustable – Most backpacks are adjustable, but make sure you find one with straps so that your child’s backpack sinks to the correct location on their back. Ideally the backpack’s bottom will sit above your child’s waistline, so adjust accordingly once they have it loaded up for their first day of school.
- Smaller Size – One thing that can actually help your child avoid back pain is by getting a backpack without a large storage area. Obviously they need space for some books, notebooks and school materials, but if you get them a very large backpack, they may opt to use it as a makeshift locker so they don’t have to load and unload between classes or at the end of the day. Talk to them about not overloading their backpack and to load and unload the supplies they need as the day goes along. A good rule of thumb is to avoid carrying more than 10-15% of your child’s weight, so if they are 80 pounds, keep the backpack at around 8-12 pounds when full. Smaller backpacks can help you meet this limit more easily.
If you keep these tips in mind when you’re back to school shopping and as the new year begins, we’re confident your child will have a good chance at keeping their spine healthy. For more information, reach out to Dr. Sinicropi’s clinic today.
