The school year is just around the corner which means it is time to take stock of your child’s backpack health! Each year seems to require a heavier load of books and this can create problems and pain for spines that are trying to grow. Keep these tips in mind:

• Weight: the ideal load should be no more than 15% of the carrier’s weight. Choosing a pack made of lightweight material and making sure they only take the essentials is a great way to stay around this target weight. Utilizing lockers to keep unnecessary books in between classes also helps to keep the weight off. 
• Always use two straps to avoid creating an imbalance in the amount of weight that drags on one side of the body. Using two straps and a hip strap helps to distribute the weight properly and prevents all the weight from being on the shoulders and neck. 
• Adjust the pack properly: don’t let your child fall victim to the strange fashion trend that is letting the back hang off the body with the shoulder straps all the way loosened. This is a great way to create strain and pain. 
• Lift the pack using leg muscles and keep it close to the body. 

At Scorca Chiropractic Center, we can help by offering an evaluation of the child’s spine to determine what kind of backpack fits best and how to wear it! From there, the onus is upon the parent to keep the bag from creating pain. Call our office in Fremont to see how we can help your child enter this school year with a firm grasp of backpack etiquette and health!

Dr. Francis Scorca, D.C.