SSM Health St. Clare Hospital - Fenton: Backpack Strategies For Parents And Students: It's Time To Lighten The Load

Press release from SSM Health St. Clare Hospital - Fenton:

October 20, 2021

School Backpack Awareness Day is Oct. 27

Are you hearing complaints of aching backs and shoulders from your kids? Are you seeing stooped posture too? Carrying too much weight in a pack or wearing it the wrong way can lead to pain. Parents can take steps to help children pack and wear backpacks the correct way to avoid these issues. Since Oct. 27 is School Backpack Awareness Day, today is an optimal time to address these issues.

What to look for when selecting a backpack:

• Appropriate size- The pack should not be wider than your child’s torso or hang more than 4” below their waist
• Padded adjustable straps – The shoulders and neck have many blood vessels and nerves that can cause pain and tingling in the neck, arms and hands when too much pressure is applied
• Multiple compartments- Helpful for organization and to distribute weight more evenly

Follow the 1, 2, 3s of Backpack wearing:

• Pack it (backpack should weigh no more than 10% of the child's body weight.) When packing, ask if items are necessary for that day. Also, utilize different compartments and pockets to distribute weight. Heavier items should be closer to back center.
• Put it on. Pick up the pack by bending and lifting in knees rather than bending at the waist to prevent injury.
• Adjust and carry. Always use both shoulder straps to distribute weight evenly and adjust straps so the pack fits snug. Also, adjust sternum strap and secure hip belt to keep the load close to the body.

Sending students off with a backpack may seem like a simple task. However, choosing and fitting a backpack is something that should be done carefully. Following the steps outlined above can help avoid these issues by helping children to pack and wear their backpacks correctly. And that will make for a happier and healthier school year.

This press release was produced by SSM Health St. Clare Hospital - Fenton. The views expressed here are the author’s own.