Is Your Child's Backpack and Back Pain Risk?

Backpacks can cause back pain and other injuries to kids

Back pain and injuries related to backpacks are more common than you would think. With kids headed back to school, it's important to take a close look at their backpacks before they start the year. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, in 2016 alone, and estimated 6,300 kids received emergency room treatment for backpack-related injuries. This number does not include visits to primary doctors or other physicians for backpack-related injuries.

Ensure your child is wearing the right back pack the right way to minimize the risk of injury. Here are some tips for safe backpack use:

• Limit the weight. Lighter is always better and backpack weight should be less than 10% of the child's weight.
• Use adjustable straps to fit the bag to the child's back. The bag should not be hanging low from loose straps.
• The child should use both straps and ideally they are padded for comfort.
• Ensure the backpack has compartments to secure their supplies in a balanced way without shifting around.

Patients are welcome to bring their child in our clinic and have their child checked while wearing their backpack to make sure it is being worn properly. Call (330) 492-1010 to schedule a courtesy backpack check and have the bag filled with an average day's supplies.