{"id":187,"date":"2019-01-04T12:34:13","date_gmt":"2019-01-04T16:34:13","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/awakenchiro.wpengine.com\/?p=187"},"modified":"2019-01-04T12:34:14","modified_gmt":"2019-01-04T16:34:14","slug":"backpacks-and-your-spine","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/awakeningchiropractic.com\/blog\/2019-01-04\/backpacks-and-your-spine\/","title":{"rendered":"Backpacks and Your Spine"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Pack It Light. Wear It Right.<\/strong>
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It\u2019s common for kids to lug around backpacks appearing to be twice their body weight. Though it may seem cool to sling a heavy load over one shoulder \u2013 long-term head, neck, and shoulder pain are not. Here are some helpful tips that will help your child carry his or her backpack with ease. Research indicates that there are long-term health risks associated with youth who wear poorly designed backpacks or carry too much weight. In fact, over 50% of Canadian youth will suffer at least one back pain episode during their school years. Not only are these injuries painful, they can directly impact the enjoyment of leisure and sports activities that are a critical part of a young person\u2019s life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Backpacks & Your Child’s Health<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Carrying a heavy load can lead to poor posture and a distorted spinal column. Over time this can cause muscle strain, headaches, neck and arm pain, and even nerve damage.\u00a0A heavy backpack carried on one shoulder forces the muscles and spine to compensate for the uneven weight. This places stress on the mid and lower back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Choosing the Right Backpack<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You don’t need to spend a lot of money to get a good backpack. Here are some tips that may be helpful when selecting a backpack:<\/p>\n\n\n\n