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Overloaded Backpacks Can Cause Injury

Fall fills the air as the yellow busses are once again rolling around Kansas and Missouri neighborhoods. Inside, school children come well equipped for the first days and weeks of a brand-new school year. Notebooks, pens and calculators, new textbooks, and other back-to-school gear fill the designer backpacks schoolchildren proudly wear to school.

Back-to-school shopping is a yearly rite of passage for school kids, from the early elementary grades on up to the more fashion conscious high school students who simply want to look their best for the new school year. As conscientious parents check their young scholars' fashion choices for fit and function, there is another concern. Along with the debate of age-appropriate attire, questions about the choice of a backpack should occupy parents' minds as well.

Why backpacks? Backpacks that are worn incorrectly can lead to back pain and unnecessary strains on the backs of children and young adults. According to Neal Tanner, a physical therapist at St. Francis Outreach Rehabilitation too much strain on the muscles and joints can cause pain, if it is done routinely. The result of backpack strain would "basically be muscular or a skeletal injury" according to Tanner.

How do you know when there is a problem? According to Tanner, recurrent pain that does not subside needs medical attention. Pain can normally be managed by laying off the heavy backpack for a few days. Anti-inflammatory pain medicines may give relief as well. Therapy of chiropractic care can be useful as well.

Back pain and injury can be avoided if backpacks are not overloaded and are worn properly. A child's backpack should be no more than five to ten percent of the student's body weight. If you notice your child walking with a forward lean, it is a sign the backpack is too heavy. Other signs include struggling with the straps, or placing a hand between the strap(s) and the shoulder(s) as if to relieve the pressure. An overly loaded backpack may cause the child to struggle to walk in a normal stride beneath the weight.

Backpacks should never be word over one shoulder. The weight should be evenly distributed between the shoulder blades. According to Tanner, stress angles can form on certain body parts. Padded straps can help alleviate some of the pressure. Good backpacks will also come with multiple compartments to more evenly distribute the weight. Rolling backpacks are a great alternative to more tradition shoulder-strapped backpacks, though many school districts prohibit their use.

At Kansas City Accident Injury Attorneys, our Kansas City personal injury lawyers take child injury issues very seriously. If you feel that your child has suffered a needless injury, we would like to offer you a free consultation to discuss your questions and concerns. You can reach our office by calling 888-348-2616. For more information, please download your free copy of the resource guide 10 Essential Steps You Must Take To Protect Your Injury Claim.

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