7 Essential Backpack Safety Tips: Protect Your Kids’ Spine with Expert Advice from a Chiropractor in London Ontario
It’s still summer, but the excitement of back-to-school season is in full swing. As your family prepares for the upcoming school year, one critical item not to overlook is your child’s backpack. A poorly fitted or overstuffed backpack can lead to unnecessary strain on your child’s spine, leading to discomfort and pain. Dr. Janna House, a chiropractor in London Ontario, shares her expert backpack safety tips to help you choose the best backpack and pack it correctly for your child.
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Choose a Backpack with Wide, Padded, and Adjustable Straps
One of the most important backpack safety tips is to ensure the backpack has wide, padded, and adjustable straps. These features help distribute the weight evenly across the shoulders and prevent pressure points. Properly padded straps reduce the risk of shoulder pain and encourage better posture.
According to Dr. Janna, your child’s backpack should not hang more than four inches below the waist. If the backpack hangs too low, it can cause strain on the lower back. Adjust the straps so the backpack stays close to the body and maintains good posture. This is one of the most crucial backpack safety tips to follow for maintaining spinal health.
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Lighten Up: Ensure the Backpack Isn’t Too Heavy
A key point from Dr. Janna, a leading chiropractor in London Ontario, is that your child’s backpack should not exceed 10-15% of their body weight. Overloading a backpack can put unnecessary stress on the spine, leading to discomfort and potential long-term back issues. Keep this in mind when packing school supplies to avoid back pain.
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Distribute the Weight Evenly
When packing the backpack, be mindful of where heavier items like textbooks are placed. Dr. Janna recommends packing heavier books closer to the body to minimize the strain on the back. This is another important backpack safety tip to ensure proper weight distribution and prevent injuries.
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Avoid Backpacks with Wheels
Although backpacks with wheels may seem like a good idea since your child won’t have to carry the load on their back, Dr. Janna, a chiropractor in London Ontario, advises against them. Rolling backpacks often require awkward twisting movements, which can put unnatural stress on the spine and shoulder joints. Additionally, they are difficult to use on stairs and challenging to maneuver during winter months. For optimal spinal health, it’s better to stick with a properly fitted backpack that distributes weight evenly, as outlined in our backpack safety tips.
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Keep Fit: Stay Active to Support Spine Health
Keeping your child active and fit is essential for their overall health and ability to carry a backpack without causing strain. A stronger body can better adapt to the stress of carrying a load. Regular chiropractic check-ups can help ensure your child’s spine remains healthy. If you’re considering chiropractic care for kids in London Ontario, this is a great way to support their spinal health.
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Organize the Load
Help your child stay organized by only carrying what is necessary in their backpack each day. Too many books and supplies can lead to an overstuffed, heavy backpack, putting unnecessary pressure on their spine. Reducing the load is one of the simplest and most effective backpack safety tips.
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Get Checked and Get Adjusted
Getting checked and adjusted by a chiropractor in London Ontario is an essential step to ensure your child’s spine stays healthy. Carrying a heavy backpack every day can put stress on the spine, even when following proper backpack safety tips. Regular chiropractic adjustments help maintain proper alignment, reduce tension, and support your child’s overall posture. By addressing any issues early, chiropractic care for kids in London Ontario can prevent long-term back problems and ensure your child’s body is functioning at its best.
Visit LifeHouse Chiropractic for a Backpack Check
If you’re concerned about your child’s backpack fitting properly, visit LifeHouse Chiropractic. Dr. Janna House, a trusted chiropractor in London Ontario, come in with your family and their “loaded” backpack(s) for a backpack check up. Dr. Janna can assess your child’s backpack to ensure it’s not causing undue strain on their spine. Proper backpack use, combined with regular chiropractic care for kids in London Ontario, can help your child avoid back pain and stay healthy throughout the school year.
Sources:
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6267109/
https://spinehealth.org/article/backpacks-back-pain-children/The Perfect Backpack – Tips from Chiropractor in London Ontario
