Back to School: 7 Backpack Fitting Tips
Backpack Fitting Tips
Chiropractor Dr. Stephanie Bonn of Coco Chiropractic outlines things to consider to make the best choice for your child for back to school.
- Ensure that your child’s backpack is appropriately sized with the bottom resting in the curve of the lower back and the top just below shoulder level.
- Look for packs with wide, padded shoulder straps as narrow straps can decrease the circulation, causing numbness and tingling in the arms and weakness in the hands.
- Find a backpack with a waist strap to distribute the load properly and maintain balance and stability.
- Make sure that the packed backpack does not exceed 10% of your child’s weight as excess weight will cause rounding of the shoulders and an increase curve in the upper back region as well as neck, shoulder and back pain.
- Be sure your child uses both shoulder straps – by slinging the pack over one shoulder, your child will lean over to counterbalance the uneven weight and curve the spine abnormally which may cause a postural scoliosis.
- Pack the backpack for even distribution with the heaviest contents next to the lower back.
- Consider purchasing a backpack with built in back support or wheels for back to school.
Where to get back to school backpacks in Vancouver
