How to carry your backpacks the right way!

This coming Monday, some schools will open for the 2012-2013 school year already. My niece is now preparing her stuffs for the start of school. She is using a backpack to carry her things, and is complaining that her back hurts sometimes. I know that using a backpack is more convenient than any other bags, because your hands are free to move.

Unfortunately, if you overload your backpack too much and carry it the wrong way, your spine and muscle could suffer. The prolonged improper use of heavy backpacks can cause curvature of the spine, muscle spasms, pinched nerves that lead to shoulder, neck and back problems can develop from childhood and they can have more severe problems when they become adults.

It is also one of the leading causes of developing bad posture, such as anterior or forward head posture, uneven shoulders, shoulder blades and hips.

Here are some advises on how to carry your backpacks the proper way.

• For Elementary and High School kids, the suggested weight is 10-12% of the kid’s body weight. 
• Do not bring books or other stuffs that you won’t be using during the day. 
• Put the big and heavy books closest to your back. 
• The bottom of the bag should be above the waistline. 
• Backpacks are designed that have two shoulder straps so it’s better to use both. 

Correct Posture

Incorrect Posture

Tips on how to select the right backpack:

• It should have an ergonomic design or features that make it more comfortable and easier to carry. 
• It’s better if the backpack has a waist and chest belt. 
• The weight is distributed to the hips and away from the back. 
• It should fit in between the shoulder blades and the top of the waist. 

Do you see these signs on your backpacker kids?

• pain when carrying the backpacks? 
• red marks on their shoulders 
• numbness on the shoulders 
• struggling when putting on or taking off the backpack 

If so, then teach your kids the proper use and packing of their backpacks.