Backpacks without Back Pain
8 tips from the American Chiropractic Association
- Make sure your child's backpack weighs no more than 5 to 10 percent of their body weight.
- Your child's backpack should never hang more than 4 inches below the waistline.
- Purchase backpacks with individualized compartments. This helps to position the contents more effectively.
- Purchase small to medium sized backpacks. The more room there is in a backpack, the more your child will carry.
- Encourage your child to wear both shoulder straps.
- Choose backpacks with wide, padded straps.
- Purchase backpacks with adjustable straps, so the backpack can be fitted to your child's body.
- If the backpack is still too heavy, talk to your child's teacher. Ask if your child could leave the heaviest books at school.