Back to school is right around the corner! Where did the summer go?! With back to school you have to buy school supplies and backpacks. While kids will want the coolest backpack, you need to focus on a backpack that is best for their spine.

What is the best kind of backpack for a kid?

Size matters- You need to choose a backpack that is appropriately sized for the child. It should fit across their shoulders and be no longer than 3 inches past their waist (rib cage/natural waist). The backpack needs to have two straps and fit snuggly around the child.

Straps- Choose a backpack with broad thick padded straps. This helps evenly distribute the weight of the backpack better across the shoulders. (Make sure the child is using both straps and not hanging the backpack on just one shoulder.)

Insides- Choose a pack that has dividers or pockets inside. This allows the weight to be more evenly distributed within the backpack itself.

Don’t allow your child to carry more than 15% of their body weight in the backpack. So a 100 pound child shouldn’t exceed 15 pounds of weight.

If the backpack has chest or waist straps make sure that they fit the child appropriately. Chest straps should buckle at the middle of their sternum and under the arms enough that they have full range of motion of their arms. Hip straps should buckle at the top or right on their hips.

Lift properly- Make sure your child isn’t grabbing the backpack and throwing it over their shoulder. Over time that is going to cause pain and other health problems.

Proper lifting:

1. Face the backpack before you lift it.
2. Bend at the knees and lift with your legs.
3. Carefully put one shoulder strap on at a time. Don’t put it over just one shoulder.

Get Adjusted!

Proper backpack and wearing it correctly aren’t the only thing to help your child’s spinal health. Backpack injury or not, regular chiropractic adjustments are a natural way of reducing subluxations and pressure, restoring normal range of motion and function of the spine. When children are growing, it’s very important to keep their spine healthy, or they can develop pain or other health problems later on in life.

If you want your Childs backpack checked, call the chiropractor! While you are there get them adjusted! Call us or a chiropractor near you.

~Dr. Lacey~
Carder Chiropractic Clinic, INC.
El Reno, OK 73036