Carrying around a backpack full of books may be great for the mind, but isn’t so great for the spine. Studies have shown that one of the leading causes of back problems in young children is heavy backpacks. For parents, it’s important to be aware of the potential problems that heavy backpacks present. 

Why Carrying a Backpack can Cause Back Pain

Carrying around a heavy backpack day in and day out can distort the curve of the spine, leading to irritation of the joints in the spine and muscle strain as the muscles try to compensate for the distortion. In severe instances, a heavy backpack can even cause stress fractures.

In most cases, the pain caused by carrying a heavy backpack is only temporary and will go away on its own with a little rest. However, if your child’s back pain persists you will want to contact an orthopedic specialist to diagnose and treat the condition.

How to Prevent Back Pain Caused by Heavy Backpacks

One of the best ways to prevent back pain caused by carrying around a heavy backpack is to choose the right backpack. You will want to reduce weight by looking for a backpack made from lightweight material. It’s also important to find a backpack that has thickly padded straps and a padded back. Waist straps are also a good way to distribute some of the backpack’s weight to the hips and reduce the load on the back. Lastly, you may want to consider purchasing a backpack with wheels on it so that your child can pull it behind them rather than having to carry it all the time.

Contact A Spine Care Specialist

If your child is suffering from back pain, a heavy backpack may very well be the cause. Thankfully, there are steps that can be taken to help prevent back pain caused by a heavy backpack. If your child’s back pain persist, though, or if it is severe, please contact our spine care specialists today to schedule an appointment.