School Backpack Safety for Kids

Believe it or not, the summer is starting to wind down, which means school is right around the corner. Our chiropractor in Rockland County, Dr. Todd Askenas, wants to do his part by helping local parents learn how to prevent injuries from kids' backpacks.

After all, with the amount of homework kids have to do these days (on top of all their athletic and extracurricular activities), children of all ages are having to lug around quite a heavy load--literally and figuratively! 

Top Kids' Backpack Safety Tips from our Chiropractor in Pearl River

Kids can hurt their necks, shoulders, and backs if they are carrying around backpacks that are too heavy, poorly fitting, or improperly placed. To make sure your child stays injury-free, be sure follow these kids' backpack safety tips: 

1. Choose a bag with wide padded straps to improve even weight distribution.
2. Encourage your kid to use both straps, as this reduces asymmetrical strain and tension on the spine.
3. Adjust the straps so that they allow the backpack to sit closely and snugly to your child's body, no more than 4 inches below the waist/hips.
4. Your kid's bag should not weigh more than 10% of his or her total body weight. Talk to your child's teacher about leaving heavier books at school whenever possible.
5. When packing your child's back, put the heaviest items on the bottom first. Use compartments for smaller objects for easy access.

Think your child is too young to have back pain? Think again: as many 18-25% of children and teens can be expected to experience a sore back at some point in their youth. Of course, any episode of back pain in a child should warrant a trip to the chiropractor and/or primary care doctor. This is to rule out any serious health conditions and ensure that the kid gets the help he or she needs to alleviate pain and get him or her back to normal function as soon as possible. 

Our Chiropractor Can Help Prevent and Treat Injuries from Improper Backpack Usage

Are you an in-the-know parent who knows how to prevent injuries from kids' backpacks? Make sure your child is ready to go this school year with help from our chiropractor in Rockland County, serving Pearl River, Upper Saddle River, Montvale, Blauvelt, Tappan, and surrounding NY communities. To schedule an appointment for yourself or a loved one, contact Askenas Chiropractic now at 845-735-3737.