Backpack Strategies for Parents and Students
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Aching backs and shoulders? Tingling arms? Weakened muscles? Stooped posture? Does your child have these symptoms after wearing a heavy school backpack? Carrying too much weight in a pack or wearing it the wrong way can lead to pain and strain. Parents can take steps to help children load and wear backpacks the correct
way to avoid health problems. Loading the backpack:
• A child’s backpack should weigh no more than about 10% of his or her body weight. This means a student weighing 100 pounds shouldn’t wear a loaded school backpack heavier than about 10 pounds. • Load heaviest items closest to the child’s back (the back of the pack). • Arrange books and materials so they won’t slide around in the backpack. • Check what your child carries to school and brings home. Make sure the items are necessary for the day’s activities. • If the backpack is too heavy or tightly packed, your child can hand carry a book or other item outside the pack. • If the backpack is too heavy on a regular basis, consider using a book bag on wheels if your child’s school allows it. Wearing the backpack: • Distribute weight evenly by using both straps. Wearing a pack slung over one shoulder can cause a child to lean to one side, curving the spine and causing pain or discomfort. • Select a pack with well-padded shoulder straps. Shoulders and necks have many blood vessels and nerves that can cause pain and tingling in the neck, arms, and hands when too much pressure is applied. • Adjust the shoulder straps so that the pack fits snugly on the child’s back. A pack that hangs loosely from the back can pull the child backwards and strain muscles. • Wear the waist belt if the backpack has one. This helps distribute the pack’s weight more evenly. • The bottom of the pack should rest in the curve of the lower back. It should never rest more than four inches below the child’s waistline.
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INSTRUCTIONS 1. Open your smart phone to the camera app. 2. Center the QR code above in the frame (this will take you directly to our Google Review Page).
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Did You Know? We Can Also Treat: • Arthritis • Auto Accidents • Back Pain • Chronic Pain • Personnel Injuries • Post-Surgical Rehab
• Hand Pain • Headaches • Neck Pain
• Sports Injuries • Vestibular Pain • Work Injuries
Garber Physical Therapy Is Still Serving You
To do your part to prevent the spread of this contagious disease, we ask patients that if you or your family are demonstrating symptoms of coronavirus— coughing, sneezing or fever—please stay home. Additionally, if you or your family has been exposed to someone who has a confirmed case of the virus, please notify us immediately, so we can take necessary steps. Your cooperation in this tough time is what makes us able to continue to provide valuable services to you and your family. We appreciate your ongoing support.
physical therapists as “Essential Critical Infrastructure Workers” during the COVID-19 pandemic. Because of this, Garber Physical Therapy will remain open and seeing patients during this time, while taking the necessary precautions to make sure everything is sanitary, and everyone is safe. Before and after every session, we are asking our clients and staff to wash or sanitize their hands. Additionally, we have increased the number of times per day that we sanitize our equipment and facility.
In light of the COVID-19 pandemic that has been causing numerous health care facilities to shut down, we as medical professionals are diligently trying to serve our patients in the best ways possible without risking the spread of this disease. The sedentary lifestyle that I’m sure many people have experienced since being quarantined to their homes can actually lead to more aches, pains, and discomfort than one may think. Fortunately, we have you covered. As some may know, the Department of Homeland Security has deemed
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