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How to prevent back pain for your child

With the school year upon us, kids everywhere are settling into their routines including schlepping items from home to school and extracurricular activities.

Heavy backpacks can lead to back and shoulder pain, injuries, and soreness. Here are a few tips to stay healthy when using a backpack.

Symptoms to watch for:

Carrying a backpack that is too heavy for you can lead to back pain, spinal injuries down the road, as well as an injury to the brachial plexus, the nerve network that goes down the front of the neck and shoulder to your arms, hands, and fingers.

Here are some symptoms to watch out for:

  • Back Pain
  • Numbness, tingling, prickling, or burning sensations in the shoulders, arms, or hands.
  • Weakness in the shoulders, arms, or hands.
  • Pain in the arms, hands, forearms, or shoulders
  • Pain that radiates down the arm
  • Neck and shoulder pain

What kind of backpack is best?

There is no “perfect” backpack, it’s all about fit.

  1. The pack should fit the person.

Don’t get a backpack for a small child that is made for an adult, as the straps and supports will not function properly. The backpack should not be wider than the torso or the wearer and the top of the backpack (where the straps are sewn into the backpack) should not be more than 1-2 inches above the person’s shoulders. The bottom of the bag should not go more than 2-3 inches below the waistline.

Other good things to look for: lightweight materials (canvas, nylon), padded straps, more than one compartment, waist belt.

  1. Tighten the straps

Tighten the straps until the back of the bag fits snugly against the torso and shoulders, the bag should be centered on the back and feel comfortable and not constricting.

  1. Use both shoulder straps!

Using only one strap causes all sorts of strain on the back, neck and shoulders. I repeat, use both straps!

     4. Pack smart

The backpack should not be more than 15% of the body weight of the wearer. That means pack only the essentials and don’t carry around items that you don’t need!

  1. Put heavy items lower and closer to the spine

Heavy items should be packed close to your center of gravity. That means put heavy books, laptops, etc. in the compartment closest to the spine and then light items like sweaters on the outside or top of the bag.

  1. Use the waist belt

If your pack has a waist belt, use it! It will help distribute the weight of your pack evenly across the torso.

  shutterstock 787002358backpacks 1

When to seek help

If you or your kid are experiencing numbness, weakness, or tingling in the neck, shoulder, arms, hands, or back pain after carrying a backpack, you should see your doctor and get a referral to a physical therapist.

If you need help, give the therapists at Fusion Wellness and Physical Therapy a call today!

 

Resources

Rose, K., Davies, A., Pitt, M., Ratnasinghe, D., & D’Argenzio, L. (2016). Backpack palsy: A rare complication of backpack use in children and young adults – A new case report. European Journal of Paediatric Neurology, 20(5), 750–753. doi:10.1016/j.ejpn.2016.05.006


Nylund, T., Mattila, V. M., Salmi, T., Pihlajamäki, H. K., & Mäkelä, J. P. (2011). Recovery of brachial plexus lesions resulting from heavy backpack use: A follow-up case series. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders12, 62. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2474-12-62

 

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**This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace the advice of your doctor.

Sherman Oaks

13425 Ventura Blvd.
Suite 200
Sherman Oaks, CA 91423

Telephone:
(818) 877-6910

The Sherman Oaks office is adjacent to Studio City and serves the Bel Air, Brentwood, West LA, Mulholland, Beverly Hills, Encino, Calabasas and San Fernando Valley area.

Map to Fusion Wellness PT Sherman Oaks Location

Hours:

Monday 7:30-6:00
Tuesday 7:00-6:00
Wednesday 7:00-6:00
Thursday 8:00-6:00
Friday 7:00-6:00

Glendale/Montrose and Pasadena Areas

3702 Park Place
Montrose
California 91020

Telephone:
(818) 864-6732

>The Montrose area of Glendale is located minutes from Pasadena, Burbank, Silver Lake, Atwater Village, Los Feliz, Echo Park, and Eagle Rock.

Map to Fusion Wellness PT Montrose Location

Hours:

Monday  7:00-6:00
Tuesday 7:00-4:00
Wednesday 7:00-6:00
Thursday 7:00-4:00
Friday CALL

Beverly Hills

9012 Burton Way
Beverly Hills, CA 90211

Telephone:
(310) 871-9554

Now Accepting Appointments, Opens July 6!

The Beverly Hills office is convenient to Mid-Wilshire, West Hollywood, Hollywood, Beverlywood, Korea Town, Downtown LA, Culver City, Century City, Santa Monica and Malibu.

Map to Fusion Wellness PT Sherman Oaks Location

Hours:

Monday 12:00-5:00
Tuesday CALL
Wednesday CALL
Thursday 7:00-6:00
Friday CALL
Saturday CALL
Sunday CALL

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