

The expert physicians at The Spine Institute know all about spinal health, no matter what your age. Following the steps above can help you take good care of your spine. Backpacks are an everyday part of life for students of all ages, so it’s a good idea to be smart about how these particular accessories are packed and worn. Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that more than 14,000 children are treated each year for injuries related to backpacks. Interestingly, the study also found that adolescent females are more likely to be affected than their male counterparts, possibly because of body structure differences.

Considering a backpack on wheels if you need to regularly carry it around.Putting your backpack down when you’re standing in one place for a while (e.g., waiting for a bus, talking to friends).Only carrying your backpack when you need to.The reason could be that mindlessly carrying a backpack around all day places excessive and prolonged stress on certain parts of the spine, allowing time for inflammation to develop due to muscle irritation. The study on backpack-related pain suggests the length of time a backpack is worn may be a significant cause of spine-related pain. Are handed down from one child to another (especially among children of varying heights and weights) Watch How Long It’s Worn.Make it too easy to simply stuff everything into one area (backpacks with compartments distribute weight better).Are so worn down that the weight won’t be distributed correctly.If it does, too much weight will be placed on your lower back. A backpack shouldn’t sink down to the very bottom of your spine or the top of your buttocks. The straps should also be adjusted based on your height. It’s best to go with one that has double straps so weight can be distributed evenly instead of on one side of your body. Making sure the weight is distributed evenly in the backpack Wear Your Backpackįirst of all, choose the right type of backpack.Placing heavier items closer to your body.Keeping the weight to 10 percent of your body weight.Extra weight tugging on straps can affect muscles, tendons, and ligaments that support the neck and upper spine. Heavy backpacks can also affect posture and force the lumbar (lower) spine forward, causing you to hunch over.

Heavy books can affect spinal alignment, especially in younger spines that are still developing. Even if you have a backpack designed to carry an assortment of items, with convenient compartments and clips to hold phones, water bottles, and other extras, be cautious about how much you pack into it. Pack LightĪ common reason for spine-related pain is a backpack that’s overloaded. Whether it’s you or your kids who wear backpacks, keep the following tips in mind to prevent spine-related problems.
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Los Angeles students and parents need to be aware of how to properly take care of their spinal health. If ignored, back pain could lead to severe and long-lasting consequences, possibly even as serious as spinal fusion surgery. Sixty percent of the students evaluated reported backpack-related discomfort, which was more prevalent in young and older adolescents. Backpack use can be a source of spine-related pain, as evidenced by results from a 2016 Italian study. One thing that has remained the same for generations of schoolchildren from kindergarten through college is the regular use of backpacks.
