Backpacks and Children’s Spine ALERT

By 15 years of age, the percentage of children experiencing back pain is approximately 50%-70%, which approaches adult rates of 70-80% (1). 

Most school children experience some sort of neck or back pain. Studies have shown there is a significant association between the weight of the backpack the child uses and the likelihood of reporting back pain (1). 
In a study of 640 school children with back pain, the authors collected data for 25 years. They showed an 84% lifetime prevalence of continued back pain as an adult. Therefore, it is extremely important to do as much as you can to deal with the issue causing the back pain for your children now!
Here is our 5 tips to help prevent back pain in your children this year

1. Good Posture-stand tall, pretend there is a piece of string pulling you up from your head.
2. Sittting Straight- keep good posture when you are sitting, don’t be a slouch potato.
3. Try to have standing breaks, every 25-30 minutes
4. Home Work station, check that it is still suitable, chances are they have grown and the desk space will need to change-Home computers should be eye level, Laptop should use a laptop stand.
5. Back pack checks- a child backpack should weight no heavier than 10% of their body weight. The back pack ideally be carried on both shoulders not on one shoulder (although research has not been done to determine which way to carry the bag at this stage is the best approach, common sense prevails here). In 1996, the Ministry for Education in Austria decided that school bags were not allowed to weigh more than 10% of the child’s body weight (1).

​These tips will go a long way to help your child spinal health now and in the future.
If you would any further information about what we do at sprouting Health chiropractic head over to our website or ring us today and find out about our No Gap Initial Appointment 

References

1. Troussier, B., Davoine, P., De Gaudemaris, R., Fauconnier, J. and Phelip, X., 1994. Back pain in school children. A study among 1178 pupils. Scandinavian journal of rehabilitation medicine, 26(3), pp.143-146.
2. Harreby M, Neergaard K, Hesselsoe G, et al. Are radiologic changes in the thoracic and lumbar spine of adolescents risk factors for low backpain in adultsVa 25 year prospective cohort study of 640 school children. Spine. 1995;20:2298Y2302.