Back to School Doesn't Have to Mean Back Problems in Vassar

I have to admit, I was shocked upon picking up a child's backpack a while back. I certainly didn't remember my bag being that heavy. As a chiropractor in Vassar, I began to wonder what this kind of weight could be doing to a young and still developing spine; especially if not being carried properly.

I often hear adults and parents comment on their bad posture. Bad posture can start at a very young age and improperly carrying around a heavy school bag can certainly contribute to bad posture. I wanted to take this space to share some tips to minimize the stress and strain these heavy backpacks can cause.

First, purchase a backpack with padded, adjustable, wide straps. Make sure it has individualized compartments so that weight can be distributed more evenly.

Make sure children wear both straps and that the bottom of the backpack is no more than 4 inches below the waist.

A backpack should weigh no more than 5-10% of your child's body weight. If the backpack consistently exceeds this amount, it may be beneficial to speak with the teacher to see if the heaviest books can be left at school.

We hope those of you reading this find these tips useful and help your children to carry their schoolbags in a more comfortable and safe manner. Dr. Sally and Dr. Dan will be happy to assess your child's backpack here at Blossom Chiropractic Office.