Backpack Safety

Chiropractic care for kids is one of our specialties at the ACT Wellness Center in Woodbridge. Many people do not know how to use backpacks correctly. Because of this, it may be hard for them to recognize when their child’s back is in danger, which is why we wanted to offer parents some guidance.

Before we say anything else, we want to reassure parents that backpacks are the safest way to carry books and other items. They distribute weight evenly across the shoulders, unlike a large purse or laptop bag. But both straps must be worn, and the straps should be wide and padded. Children should also wear a strap across their chests and pull each strap snuggly, but not so much that they restrict blood flow. The backpack should rest comfortably in the middle of the upper back instead of hanging in the lumbar region.

The American Chiropractic Association recommends that a backpack never be filled to the point where it weighs more than 15% of the wearer’s body weight. Parents should avoid getting backpacks with heavy accessories such as wheels or pull-out handles if their kids can’t use them in school. They may also want to get a smaller backpack if their child frequently overstuffs theirs. Some signs of backpack-related strain are pain, numbness, and tingling in the shoulders, neck, or arms. We can provide safe pain relief, including adjustments and low-level laser therapy, but a reasonably sized backpack is essential.

Carmelo F. Caratozzolo, Doctor of Chiropractic, ACT Wellness Center at 14111 Minnieville Road, Woodbridge, Virginia has been voted Best chiropractor 9 years in a row in Prince William County! To schedule an appointment, call 703-49-9355 or visit ACT Wellness.