IS YOUR CHILD’S BACK PACK GOING TO CAUSE INJURY?
Exercise To Help With Pain:
Helps With Spine Mobility PRAYER STRETCH
Finding a Safe Pack Despite their potential problems, backpacks are great when used properly. Before you buy one, though, consider a backpack’s construction.
While in a crawl position, slowly lower your buttocks towards your feet until a stretch is felt along your back and/or buttocks. Hold for 30 seconds and repeat 3 times.
Exercisescopyrightof
Look for the following to choose the right backpack:
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• 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 • Waist belt: this helps to distribute the weight more evenly across the body • Multiple compartments: to help distribute the weight throughout the pack 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. Using Backpacks Wisely To help kids prevent injury when using a backpack: • Lighten the load. No matter how well-designed the backpack, less wate 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 child who weighs 80 pounds shouldn’t weigh more than 8 to 12 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 how much 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.
Always consultyourphysical therapistorphysicianbefore startingexercisesyouare unsureofdoing.
Patient Testimonial
“Northern Physical Therapy is like going home for me. Through the years I have had so many of my needs met by the excellent team of therapists that I feel like they are my family. Whenever I need to reset my body mechanics the first thing I ask my doctor is for a referral to Northern Physical Therapy. Not only are they excellent caregivers but they are community minded and loving people. They wholeheartedly give whether it’s giving to the backpack program for HOPE or creating a music fundraiser for a deceased patient who they poured all of their love and caring into. I love them all, they are constantly reaching higher and I recommend them to anyone who needs some body repair mixed with humor, sympathy and love.”
NPT Values Highlight
We are a whole lot of fun Well, duh. That’s obvious!! Have you ever been in our gym when everyone’s caffeine high kicks in...simultaneously? Do you know what role a screaming monkey plays in therapy? We crack jokes, we throw an occasional football to our patient as they enter the gym, we poke fun at ourselves, we tell stories and, more importantly, we get our patients to tell their stories. We have the ability to elicit smiles from our patients even though they may be suffering. Hang out in the NPTgym for a day and you’ll see how easy it can be to maintain really professional relations in a not-so serious environment.
Energetic Engagement Celebrate the successes of patients, each other, and the business
We are a whole lot of fun Interest in CommUnity
Caring Confidence Shared prosperity
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