Beware! Backpacks can be a Real Pain for Children

Although a backpack can be a student's best friend, it can also lead to serious back problems if worn incorrectly. Backpacks were originally designed to increase a person's carrying capacity by keeping the weight close to the body. But improper positioning and bad posture can place pressure on the spine, a pitfall that parents of school-aged children should recognize.

"In general, backpacks are a good idea," says Dr. Stephen Esses of the Baylor College of Medicine Institute for Spinal Disorders. "But when they are heavy, they place a huge stress on the back. If the back muscles are not strong and healthy and the backpack is not properly positioned, there could be a problem."

The spine consists of a stack of bones, or vertebrae, with disks located between each layer. Because there is no fundamental structural stability in the spinal column, posture is controlled solely by the surrounding muscles. The spines of younger children are especially susceptible to backpack-related injuries because they do not have the well-developed muscles and spinal control found in teenagers and adults.

To reduce the risk of injury, Dr. Esses suggests: Positioning the backpack so it rests between the shoulder blades and is centered in the middle back; choosing a style that has wide, padded shoulder straps; considering a child's individual muscular development, in addition to their size, when determining a safe weight range; maintaining proper posture; helping the child get the backpack on and off.

- From Baylor College of Medicine

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Courtesy of Texas Medical Center News

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©2006 Texas Medical Center

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