Ryan was able to attend the APTA Combined Sections Meeting in New Orleans, where he was able to learn from some of the most well-known names in sports medicine including Dr. James Andrews, Kevin Wilk, and Mike Reinold. In September, Ryan graduated from Touro College with his DPT, receiving an award for Academic Excellence. Dr. Jensen has enjoyed working with various patients throughout his clinical experience, from young athletes to neurological populations, and looks to improve upon his skill set through continuing education in both diagnostic and manual therapy courses in the near future. Outside of Physical Therapy, Ryan has a strong interest in strength and conditioning, particularly in working with athletes, and will be working directly with the athletes of our Professional Care Athletic Performance (PCAP) Division. Ryan is also recently engaged, with plans to be married to his fiancé Julie in July of 2020. Does your child experience symptoms of aching shoulders or stooped posture 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. If the backpack is too heavy on a regular basis, consider using a book bag on wheels if your child’s school allows it. • 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. 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. Wear the waist belt if the backpack has one. • 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. • School backpacks come in different sizes for different ages. Choose the right size pack for your child as well as one with enough room for necessary school items. 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. MAKE YOUR CH I LD ’ S TR I P TO SCHOOL A L I TTLE LESS PA I NFUL WRONG CORRECT Load too heavy Load no more than 10%-15% of body weight
WRONG fety Tips
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Strap on one shoulder Wide, padded straps on
of body weight
both shoulders
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Wear both straps Use of one strap causes one side of t e body t bear the weight of the backpack. By wearing 2 shoulder straps, the weight of the backpack is better distributed. Wear the backpack over the strongest mid-back muscles Pay close attention to the way the backpack is positioned on the back. It should rest evenly in the middle of the back. Shoulder straps should be adjusted to allow the child to put on and take off the backpack without difficulty and allow free movement of the arms. Straps should not be too loose, and the backpack should not extend below the low back. Lighten the load Keep the load at 10%-15% or less of t e child’s body weight. Carry only t ose items that are required for the day. Organize the contents of the backpack by placing the heaviest items closest to the back. Some students have 2 sets of books, so as not to have to carry the heavy books to and from school. CORRECT Load no more than 10%-15% of body weight
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STAFF SPOTL I GHT Dr. Ryan Celebrates one year as a DPT with Professional Care Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Dr. Ryan Jensen, PT, DPT How a Physical Therapist Can Help A physical therapist can help you choose a proper backpack and fit it specifically to your child. Children come in all shapes and sizes, and some have physical limitations that require special adaptations. Additionally, a physical therapist can help improve posture problems, correct muscle imbalances, and treat pain that can result from improper backpack use. Physical therapists can also design individualized fitness programs to help children get strong and stay strong— nd carry ei own lo ds! he body to bear the weight of the b ckpack. By of the backpack is better distributed. ngest mid-back muscle kpack is positioned on the back. It s ould rest lder straps should be adjusted to allow the child to out difficulty and allow free movement of the arms. e backpack should not extend below the low back. Find a physical therapist in your area at www.moveforwardpt.com
Dr. Ryan Jensen grew up locally in Patchogue, New York and attended Patchogue-Medford High School. There, he played football, where multiple knee injuries sparked an early interest in Physical Therapy. He then attended Stony Brook University, where he earned his Bachelor’s degree in Health Science with a concentration in Disability Studies. From there, he was accepted into Touro College’s Doctor of Physical Therapy Program in BayShore, New
the child’s body weight. Carry only those items that contents of the backpack by placing the heaviest nts have 2 sets of books, so as not to have to ool.
elp ose a proper backpack and fit it sp cifically to your
York. Ryan’s clinical experiences included inpatient rehabilitation at St. Catherine’s Nursing and Rehabilitation, neurological rehabilitation at Long Island Select Healthcare/UCP, and several outpatient experiences including St. Charles Orthopedics, Metro Physical and Aquatic Therapy, and North Fork Physical Therapy. During his time at school, Ryan maintained a part- time schedule working as an aide for Professional Care. In February 2018, sizes, and some have physical limitations that lly, a p ysical therapist can help improve posture , and treat pain that can result from improper n also design individualized fitness programs to g—and carry their own loads!
your area at www.moveforwardpt.com
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