Choosing the Right Backpack
As experts on posture, we know the affect spinal alignment can have on your health and development. Wearing a backpack incorrectly can cause problems for your child today and in the future.
That’s why we’re here. Let us help you find the best backpack for your child to ensure they’re setup for success at school and in life.
Make the right choice. When choosing a backpack, make sure it has a padded back, two wide and padded shoulder straps and a waist strap if possible.
Wear it and load it properly. Be sure your child is using both shoulder straps when carrying their backpack. Carrying the backpack on one shoulder may look “cool” but can lead to spinal imbalance. Keep the contents of the backpack under 10% of your child’s body weight. Remember to fit it tight so it stays close to your body and does not hang more than 4″ below the waist.
Visit Us. Visits to the chiropractor help ensure your child’s spine is healthy and growing, as it should. If you have questions about the fit of your child’s backpack, stop in and see us. We’d be happy to evaluate the style and fit.
We want to see your entire family grow up healthy and strong, so let us know how we can help!
Aug 19, 2014 at 7:01 PM
Any brand recommendations? Thoughts about the wheelie ones?
Aug 20, 2014 at 4:37 PM
Great question, Dave! The book bags with wheels are a good option to reduce the strain on the back and shoulders since the person isn't carrying the weight on their back. The risk with the wheeled bags is that students can proceed to overload the bag. Lifting the overloaded bag (into the locker, on to the bus, on to a desk) could cause strain to the back/neck/shoulders as well. I don't have a specific recommendation on brands per se. Bigger doesn't always mean better. Name brands don't necessarily prevent back pain either. I would look for a bag that has individual compartments so the bag can't be overloaded. If everything that goes into the bag has its own designated area (writing instruments, books, gloves, etc) then there will be less temptation to overload the bag. I hope this helps and if you have further questions, let me know!