Preventing Backpack Injuries

Does your child complain of back and shoulder pain at the end of the day? The answer may lie in the backpack he or she picks up every morning. In 2003, more than 21,000 the backpack injuries, ranging from strains to fractures were logged by the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

How Backpacks Hurt Your Child's Back

The 33 vertebrae in your child's back are each separated by shock-absorbing disks that act as cushions. But when your child's backpack is too heavy for his body, the child leans forward to compensate, pulling the spine into an uncomfortable and unnatural alignment.

Also troubling are poorly designed backpacks. Straps that are too small can dig into your child's shoulders, restricting circulation and pressing on the nerves. This results in tingling, numbness or weakness.

Equally troubling are improperly worn backpacks. Packs slung over one shoulder, for instance, throw the child's body off-balance and cause the child to lean unnaturally to one side.

Is Your Child's Backpack Too Heavy?

The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons recommends that your child's backpack be no heavier than 15-20% of his body weight. That's just a guideline, though, and children with small frames or existing health conditions should stay well under this recommendation.

Signs that your child is carrying around too much weight include changes in posture, marks indicating that the straps are "digging in" or physical discomfort including pain, numbness or tingling. The National Safety Council recommends that, when shopping for a backpack with your child you look for an ergonomic design, padded backs and straps and multiple pockets to help distribute the load.

If your school district allows them, rolling backpacks can be a great solution. And don't forget to consider the materials the pack is made of, either. Some of the new materials on the market make wonderfully strong, yet amazingly light backpacks.