Backpack Safety & Health Concerns

The new school year means carting around heavy backpacks. Dr Cassie, one of our Chiropractors, discusses the health concerns around poorly fitted, heavy bags.

Each January, we offer free backpack and postural assessments for kids returning to school.

Whilst kinder & prep students look very cute with their over-sized, they’ll-grow-into-them backpacks, this is overloading their delicate and developing spines. This is of course not limited to new school goers but spans the spectrum to university students and workers carrying heavy loads in awkward positions.

Uncorrected postural issues, heavy school bags and poor lifestyle choices can all lead to spinal health problems as a child grows. Childhood spinal health problems often go unnoticed. What starts as poor posture, back pain and “growing pains” can develop into an accepted part of everyday life.

This can lead to serious musculoskeletal concerns immediately or later in life such as reduced mobility, possible early joint degeneration and increased vulnerability to injuries.

Children’s spines are still developing and placing unnaturally heavy loads can initiate issues with the spine, muscles and nerves.

• Rounded shoulders and poor posture

• Distortion of natural spinal curves

• Back pain

• Pins and needles in the arms or legs

• Muscle strain

• Fatigue due to poor posture & pain

Back pain in children and adolescents is a strong indicator of adult back pain, particularly persistent back pain in adults. The risk increases with longer durations of back pain in growing spines.

Your child’s backpack quickly adds up in weight. It is important to ensure that the weight of the backpack is appropriate for your child and their current level of development. We will be performing Chiropractic postural assessments as well as assessing the use and weight of your child’s backpack. This free service is aimed at reducing future musculoskeletal concerns.

According to the Chiropractors Association of Australia (CAA), 90% of school children have poor posture when carrying their bags and could experience unwanted spinal stress and damage as a result. Additionally, 75% are not wearing their school backpacks properly which may be exacerbating the problem.

Now imagine this extra load 5 days a week for 13+ years!