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How to Choose the Right Backpack for Your Edmonton Child's Spine

Written By Summerside Chiropractic Clinic on September 5, 2018

It’s that time of year again: the leaves are turning brilliant reds and golds while pumpkin spice everything fills the air.

Fall is certainly fun, but it’s also an important time to point out the devastating effect of heavy backpacks on spine health.

Avoiding back pain and injury might be as easy as selecting the right backpacks for our Edmonton kids.

The Truth about Backpacks and Spine Health in Kids

Kids’ spines are still developing which only compounds the problem of heavy backpacks.

A study found that a whopping 65% of kids between the ages of 11 and 15 had some kind of back pain stemming from the use of their heavy backpacks. Over one in five of these kids said the pain lasted more than six months while several missed school or saw a doctor to treat the pain.

Back pain in children from this monstrous weight is a serious epidemic that isn’t given much attention.

Another study found that carrying a heavy backpack can shorten the spine and create a curvature shape which leads to poor posture as well as plenty of pain and other issues.

It doesn’t help that kids have to spend the remainder of the day seated at their desk.

How to Choose the Right Backpack for Edmonton Kids

Putting some thought into the type of backpack your child or teen carries can make a world of difference.

It might cost a little more to find a backpack that fits the criteria below, but it will save your child a fortune in chiropractic care when they grow up to have a healthy functioning spine.

  • Go Small: Choose the smallest backpack possible – assume that your kid will overpack it.
  • Shoulder Straps: Look for ergonomic padded shoulder straps. Straps should be fairly wide and form an S-shape to push weight away from the neck and back across the hips – not straight up and down.
  • Weight Distribution: It might not look stylish, but a hip strap that buckles in the front can redistribute a lot of weight.
  • Compartments: Avoid backpacks with one large compartment. Pack the heaviest items closest to your child’s back.

After you’ve found the perfect backpack, your child or teen can take other precautions to minimize the impact of a heavy backpack on their spine and posture. Chiropractic care can help your child or teen maintain posture and complement a healthy lifestyle.

Call Summerside Chiropractic Clinic at 780-705-0991. Our team is led by Dr. Darrell J. Morin with nearly 20 years of experience and our office provides cutting edge techniques to the Edmonton community.


Posted In: Chiropractic Health Tips