As autumn is upon us and school is back in swing, sometimes I am amazed to see how much weight these kids are carrying around with them after school gets out.  Learning is good for you, as any student knows, but heavy books can be bad -- for your back, at least.  Well-made backpacks are supposed to help.  Worn properly, backpacks can evenly distribute loads, thanks to such features as lightweight yet durable fabrics, strategically placed padding, and sternum straps.  Some packs have retractable handles and wheels that convert them to rollers.

The American Physical Therapy Association recommends that children carry no more than 15 percent of their body weight on their backs, said Mary Ann Wilmarth, a spokeswoman for the group.  "Otherwise they risk injury, mainly to the back and shoulders," said Dr. Wilmarth, who directs one of Northeastern University's doctorate programs in physical therapy and has written several studies on the effect of backpack use on children.

If your child has started to complain of pain in the shoulders, neck or mid to low back since school has started, take a look at what he or she is carrying around and weigh their back pack.  Some simple adjustments or problem solving to lighten the load may be all that is necessary to relieve their pain symptoms.  As always, Alliance Physical Therapy is here to help so keep us in mind for those aches and pains that just don't seem to go away.

Yours in health,

Val