What's in our kids' backpacks? Our schoolchildren are carrying too big a load

Who hasn't wondered whether small children lugging oversized, heavy backpacks to and from school might be risking serious injury to their growing spines and will one day suffer from serious back pain?

Apparently, there is real cause for concern.

According a recent U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission study, more than 75 percent of students ages 8-12 suffer from increasing back pain inflicted by carrying their schoolwork and supplies in backpacks or similar totes.

"I've been saying since the second grade that too much homework is bad for a student," said Dr. Larry Arbeitman."On a serious note, some of our younger elementary school students are literally carrying one-third their body weight for prolonged periods of time and distance.That puts a lot of stress on a body in the midst of development."

And, the heavy burdens are not just affecting those students small in stature.

Student back injuries are now widespread. Ninety-six percent of the pupils monitored regularly haul much too heavy a pack on their back. In 2001 alone,7,000 children went to U.S.emergency rooms for backpack-related injuries.And, 60 percent of orthopedic doctors contacted regarding the study reported that they have treated children suffering from back pain caused by their heavy bags.

The study alluded to this startling calculation: A child carrying a 12-pound backpack, and lifting it 10 times per day for the entire school year,has carried and lifted a combined load of 21,600 pounds — the equivalent of six mid-sized cars.

• Getting out of line — Hauling a heavy backpack over one shoulder every day may cause serious postural misalignments. These postural imbalances often trigger a condition called vertebral subluxation. Vertebral subluxations are dysfunctional areas in the spine where movement is restricted or bones (vertebrae) are out of alignment, resulting in irritation to the central nervous system.This disorder predisposes people to a number of ailments, such as neck and back pain,headaches,and osteoarthritis.

• Backpack safety tips —The following tips for healthy and safe use of backpacks:

— Make sure the backpack is sturdy and appropriately sized. Some manufacturers offer special child-sized versions for children ages 5-10.These packs weigh less than a pound and have shorter back lengths and widths so they do not slip around on the back.

— Consider more than looks when choosing a backpack.An ill-fitting pack can cause back pain,muscle strain or nerve impingement. You want to have padded shoulder straps to avoid pressure on the nerves around the armpits. Some backpacks have waist straps designed to stabilize the load.These should be used whenever possible.

—The proper maximum weight for loaded backpacks should not exceed 10-15 percent of the child's body weight.For example, an 80-pound child should not carry more than 12 pounds in a pack. If the pack forces the carrier to bend forward, it is overloaded.

— In loading, it is obvious that excessive backpack weight can cause problems. Prioritizing the pack's content is very important. Avoid loading unnecessary items. It is important to balance the weight of the contents or the body shifts into unnatural postures to compensate.

— Often ignored is the act of lifting and positioning the pack. Lifting 20 pounds improperly can cause damage. Follow these simple steps: 1. Face the backpack before you lift it.2.Bend at the knees.3.Using both hands,check the weight of the pack.4. Lift with your legs,not your back.5.Carefully put on one shoulder strap at a time. Never sling the pack onto one shoulder.6. Use both shoulder straps.Make them snug but not too tight.Carrying the backpack on one shoulder, while fashionable, can cause long-term neck, shoulder, back and postural problems. Use the stabilizing waist strap around the waist.

"Even with the continued progression of electronic learning — which one would think leads to fewer books — the backpack has become a survival kit for the actionpacked lives that today's children lead during and after school hours. Parents and teachers have to take an active role in limiting what we literally load onto these children. If we do not address it now, the picture of a child carrying numerous books — which many have seen as a sign for a bright future — could foreshadow a painful outlook as well," concluded Arbeitman.

Drs. Larry Arbeitman and Jason Weniger of Upper Cervical Chiropractic of Monmouth will perform complimentary backpack screenings and demonstrations for the children of the community Aug. 3-14. If you would like to schedule a free demonstration for your child, contact 732-617-9355 (WELL). Upper Cervical Chiropractic of Monmouth, LLC, is located in Marlboro at 25 Kilmer Drive, Building III-Suite 101.

Reference Material:

"Backpack-Related Injuries Send 7,000 to ER,"Ancaster News, Ontario, Canada, Sept. 1, 2006.