By Michael W. Mathesie, DC, DACRB
Summer is over; it is time for the homework, studying, tests, and watching your child RUCK march off to school. Rucking is the march that soldiers practice with heavy packs on their backs. The only difference is that a soldier’s backpack is custom fitted for them with proper pelvic, abdominal and shoulder pads and straps. The weights or cargo are distributed properly in the soldier’s packs. How well does your child’s backpack fit and how well is it packed?
The American Chiropractic Association reminds parents that backpacks cause back and shoulder pain for millions of children and adolescents. Here are 10 tips from one of the largest national chiropractic organizations and from me, one of the longest practicing chiropractors in Coral Springs.
1. The backpack should not be wider than your child’s torso. 2. The backpack should not hang more than 4 inches below the waistline because this causes leaning forward while walking. 3. The straps should have wide and thick padding to reduce pressure on neck and shoulder muscles. 4. Use both straps, never just one because this causes shift in weight leading to spasms and poor posture. 5. The backpack straps should be tightened to allow the pack to be evenly centered in the middle of your child’s back. 6. There should be a padded back for comfort on the spine and to protect your child from sharp edges on pencils, rulers, and notebooks inside the backpack. 7. Place the heaviest items closest to the body. 8. The backpack should not weigh more than 10% of your child’s weight. 9. Remind your child to report any back pain to you immediately because middle school age is a time that scoliosis is often detected. 10. Chiropractic care and non-surgical scoliosis treatment can help.
If you or your child experiences any pain or discomfort from the use of a backpack, call your doctor of chiropractic. Doctors of chiropractic are licensed and trained to diagnose and treat patients of all ages and will use a gentler type of treatment for children. In addition, doctors of chiropractic can also prescribe exercises designed to help children develop strong muscles, along with instruction in good nutrition, posture and sleeping habits.
Dr. Mathesie has been practicing for 23 years on the N.E. corner of Atlantic Boulevard and Coral Springs Drive in the Wal-Mart/ Cypress Run Square and can be reached at 954-755-1434.
