Backpack Pack: An Article from Our October 2010 NewsletterMountain Sun Massage and Skin Care 11930 Slater Avenue NE #201, Kirkland, WA 98034Phone: 425-825-0255 Fax: 425-821-8042We usually give tips for the adult portion of our clients, but considering that school is back in session, we wanted to focus on the kids today.Has your child complained of back, neck or shoulder pain, or even numbness or tingling in the arms or hands? Have you noticed whether your child is bent over sideways trying to adjust for the heavy load of a backpack? If so, consider this: The weight your child carries in a backpack should not exceed 10-20% of his body weight.A backpack that has wide, padded shoulder straps and a waste belt helps distribute the weight better. Encourage your child to wear his backpack over both shoulders and to avoid messenger type, single-strap bags. You may also want to consider using a backpack with wheels.Consider having a second set of text books available at home so that your child doesn't have to carry his books home regularly; because of the expense, this usually only works if the school provides extra textbooks as a general policy. If this is not an option, make sure your child only carries the books he needs for that day. Get your child evaluated by your Pediatrician. Although back pain is becoming more common in older adolescents, it is not as common in younger children and may be a sign of a more serious problem, such as spondylosis, spondylolisthesis, disk herniation, a sport's injury, or a tumor or infection. Don't assume that your child's back pain is caused by a heavy backpack, especially if the pain is very severe or persistent, or if it lingers even after you lighten your child's load.We hope you all had a great start into the new school year and fall season.Back to Massage ServicesBack to Articles
Backpack Pack: An Article from Our October 2010 Newsletter
Mountain Sun Massage and Skin Care 11930 Slater Avenue NE #201, Kirkland, WA 98034
Phone: 425-825-0255 Fax: 425-821-8042
We usually give tips for the adult portion of our clients, but considering that school is back in session, we wanted to focus on the
kids today.
Has your child complained of back, neck or shoulder pain, or even numbness or tingling in the arms or hands? Have you noticed
whether your child is bent over sideways trying to adjust for the heavy load of a backpack? If so, consider this: The weight your
child carries in a backpack should not exceed 10-20% of his body weight.
A backpack that has wide, padded shoulder straps and a waste belt helps distribute the weight better. Encourage your child to
wear his backpack over both shoulders and to avoid messenger type, single-strap bags. You may also want to consider using a
backpack with wheels.
Consider having a second set of text books available at home so that your child doesn't have to carry his books home regularly;
because of the expense, this usually only works if the school provides extra textbooks as a general policy. If this is not an option,
make sure your child only carries the books he needs for that day.
Get your child evaluated by your Pediatrician. Although back pain is becoming more common in older adolescents, it is not as
common in younger children and may be a sign of a more serious problem, such as spondylosis, spondylolisthesis, disk herniation,
a sport's injury, or a tumor or infection. Don't assume that your child's back pain is caused by a heavy backpack, especially if the
pain is very severe or persistent, or if it lingers even after you lighten your child's load.
We hope you all had a great start into the new school year and fall season.
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