Marathon Physical Therapy
www.marathonptny.com Tel: (516) 487-9810 Fax: (516) 773-7315
The Expert Care You Need and Deserve
556B MIDDLE NECK RD GREAT NECK, NY 11023
INSIDE
Page1: Our5thAnniversary PatientSuccessStory Page2: HowShouldITakeCareofMyBack? HotAppleCiderRecipe ExerciseEssential Page3: StaffSpotlight FacebookVideoAbout HotPackvs.ColdPack SudokuPuzzle Page4: IsYourChild’sBackPackGoingTo CauseInjury?
Is Your Child’s Back Pack Going to Cause Injury?
Finding a Safe Pack Despite their potential problems, backpacks are great when used properly. Before you buy one, though, consider a backpack’s construction.
Using Backpacks Wisely To help kids prevent injury when using a backpack:
• Lighten the load. Nomatterhowwell-designed thebackpack, lessweight is always better. Use the bathroom scale to check that a pack isn’t over 10% to 15% of your child’s body weight (for example, the backpack of a childwho weighs 80 pounds shouldn’t weighmore than 8 to12 pounds). • Use and pick up the backpack properly. Make sure kids use both shoulder straps. Bags that are slung over the shoulder or across the chest — or that only have one strap — aren’t as effective at distributing the weight as bags with two wide shoulder straps, and therefore may strain muscles. Also tighten the straps enough for the backpack to fit closely to the body. The pack should rest evenly in the middle of the back and not sag down to the buttocks. You may need to adjust your kids’ backpacks and/or reduce howmuch they carry if they : • Struggle to get the backpack on or off • Have back pain • Lean forward to carry the backpack If your child has back pain or numbness or weakness in the arms or legs, talk to your doctor or a physical therapist.
Look for the following to choose the right backpack: • Lightweight pack: get one that doesn’t add a lot of weight to your child’s load; for example, leather packs look cool, but they weigh more than canvas backpacks • Two wide, padded shoulder straps: straps that are too narrow can dig into shoulders • Padded back: it not only provides increased comfort, but also protects kids from being poked by sharp objects or edges (pencils, rulers, notebooks, etc.) inside the pack
•Waistbelt: thishelps todistribute theweightmoreevenlyacross thebody •Multiplecompartments: tohelpdistribute theweight throughout thepack Although packs on wheels (which look like small, overhead luggage bags) may be good options for students who have to lug around really heavy loads, they’re very hard to pull up stairs and to roll through snow. Check with the school before buying a rolling pack; many don’t allow them because they can be a tripping hazard in the hallways.
(516) 487-9810
www.marathonptny.com
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