Backpacks Cause Back Pain In Children

Often when children complain about something hurting, parents tend to brush them off, saying something like, “It will be ok…you’ll feel better soon.” It isn’t that parents don’t care—they do, of course—it’s that parents know that making a big fuss over every little ache and pain is not a good idea. However, there is one type of pain that should not be ignored in school-aged children, and that is back pain.

Studies have shown that back pain in children who are in school is quite common. It isn’t because of the desks or the chairs or sitting all day—it is because of the backpacks that the kids have to carry.

Backpacks and Back Pain in Children

According to the American Chiropractic Association (ACA), back pain in children due to backpack usage is rising steadily every year. Kids have to carry very heavy backpacks to and from school every day. A recent study done in Italy found that the average child carries a backpack that would be the equivalent of a 176 pound man carrying a 39 pound bag or the equivalent of a 132 pound woman carrying a 29 pound bag. It’s no wonder that more and more children are visiting chiropractors because of back pain--in fact, out of the children in the study; more than 60 per cent had experienced back pain.

School Policies

Unfortunately, many schools across the country are getting rid of school lockers. This forces kids to haul their backpacks around from classroom to classroom, all day long.

Additionally, as kids go up in grades, the books go up in size. It isn’t uncommon to see textbooks that are 2 or 3 inches thick. Quite often, kids must bring home several of these books in order to complete their daily homework.

What Parents Can Do about Back Pain in Children

If your child complains of back pain, don’t ignore it. Take her to the doctor to make certain there are no other underlying causes of the pain, then visit a chiropractor. Chiropractors can help ease the pain and discomfort. A chiropractic doctor can also prescribe exercises your child can do to strengthen her back—these will help to ease her back pain.

Also, be sure she is carrying the right type of backpack. Here are some characteristics of a good backpack:

• Individualized compartments
• Wide, padded, adjustable straps
• Hangs not more than four inches below the waist
• Big enough—but not too big