By Move Better Physical Therapy
Attention students of all ages! Does Back-To-School mean Back-To-Pain because of heavy backpacks?
To help avoid any back pain caused by wearing a backpack, there are a few simple things you can do:
– Wear both straps so the weight is evenly distributed
– Wear the backpack over the mid-back, which has the strongest muscles
– Lighten the load by carrying only necessary materials, making it 10-15% of the child’s body weight, with the heaviest portion closest to their back
A physical therapist can help you choose a proper backpack for your child and help fit it to them. They can also help with muscle imbalances and treat pain associated with improper backpack use, while helping to strengthen those muscles for carrying heavy loads in the future!
Contact us at Move Better Physical Therapy, 285 Hydraulic Ridge Rd., Suite 4, Charlottesville, VA 22901