Neck | Shoulder | Back and Hip Pain

Now that the new school supplies have been purchased, parents and children have to find ways to stuff them all into a backpack. This is no easy task for students who must tote around binders, notebooks, textbooks, laptops, gym clothes, a bag lunch and more. The heavy weight of a fully loaded backpack can and often does cause Backpack Injuries. At Least 14,000 children are treated for Backpack-Related Injuries each year. Carrying around an overweight load can result in Neck, Shoulder, Back and Hip Pain. Nokomis Chiropractic and Wellness& and Wellness can provide treatments to Relieve Pain caused by wearing a backpack.

Preventing Backpack Related Injuries

Most items that your child carries to and from school in a backpack are needed for their education. School supply lists can be long. The weight your child has to carry gets heavy quickly. Experts recommend that the weight of the backpack not exceed 15 percent of the child’s body weight. Choosing the Right Size Backpack and Wearing Backpack Correctly are both very important for Preventing Backpack-Related Injuries.

Injuries Caused by Wearing Heavy Backpacks

Chiropractors are all too familiar with the types of Injuries Caused by Wearing Heavy Backpacks. Watch for signs that your child’s backpack is too heavy or being worn incorrectly include:

• Neck Pain caused by leaning forward to balance the heavy weight
• Shoulder Pain caused by tight muscles from weight of shoulder straps
• Lower Back Pain caused by bad posture to compensate for weight
• Hip or Knee Pain caused by walking with back rounded forward
• Numbness or Tingling caused by excess pressure on nerves

Tips for Choosing the Right Backpack for Your Child

• Backpack should not hang more than four inches below your child’s waist
• Go to a sporting goods store for help with fitting backpack properly
• Choose a lightweight backpack made for children
• Pick a backpack with multiple compartments
• Avoid the messenger or sling style bags with one strap
• Look for wide, padded straps that fit more comfortably

Tips for Wearing Backpack Correctly

• Only pack items that are necessary that day to keep the load light
• Adjust straps so that backpack hangs at the proper height
• Carry backpack using both shoulder straps
• Place heavier items close to the body
• Use the waist strap to distribute weight more evenly
• Bend at the knees rather than bending at the waist

Relieve Pain Caused by Wearing Backpack

At Nokomis Chiropractic and Wellness& and Wellness, we are very familiar with effective treatments to Relieve Pain caused by wearing a heavy backpack. Chiropractic Care works to correct posture problems that are a result of Backpack-Related Injuries. Finding the right backpack and wearing it correctly are very important for Preventing Backpack Injuries such as neck pain, lower back pain, shoulder pain and joint pain.

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In Minneapolis, contact Nokomis Chiropractic and Wellness& and Wellness for an Appointment by calling: 612-822-0149