April is National Backpack Safety Month

"Pack it Light. Wear it Right"

We are reaching out to parents and teachers across the province to ensure that students have the tools and information to stay healthy and prevent injury. These materials are free for distribution. We also offer a complementary speaker service in which a chiropractor from your local area can be made available to speak to students, parents and teachers at your school.  

Help us get the word out about backpack safety. Pack it Light, Wear it Right.
With the start of a new school year just around the corner, many parents and students are beginning to prepare. Very soon, "strapping on the backpack” will be a daily ritual for students who struggle to stuff and carry the necessities of school: Books, binders and supplies, alongside their sports gear, food and drinks. 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 critical part of a young person’s life.

The British Columbia Chiropractic Association is concerned with this alarming trend in avoidable injuries and is teaming up with educators throughout the province to reinforce the “Pack it Light. Wear it Right” backpack safety program.

Backpack Safety Tips

• Elementary school students should not carry more than 10% of their body weight.  Secondary school students should avoid carrying weight exceeding 15% of their body weight. (eg. If your child is 80 pounds, they shouldn’t carry more than eight pounds- or the equivalent of a pair of shoes, a snack, drink and 2-3 textbooks)

• Backpacks should be made of the light materials. Vinyl and canvas are much better than leather.

• Backpacks with two straps distribute weight better than bookbags that are slung over the shoulder.  Function should take precedence over fashion.

• The top of the backpack should not extend higher than the top of the shoulder and the bottom should not fall below the top of the hipbone.

• The shoulder straps should be at least 2 inches wide and should not fit too snugly around the arms, straining muscles and affecting nerves.

• A hip strap or waist belt can take as much as 50-70% of the weight off the shoulders and spine. The waist belt will equalize the strain on the bones, joints and muscles.

• Students should pack the heaviest items closest to the body so that the weight is nearest the body’s own centre of gravity.

• A backpack that is too heavy or rides too low causes one to lean forward and put extra strain on the back.

• Both straps are critical to avoiding injury- as slinging the pack on one side causes the spine to lean, increasing the likelihood of middle and lower back problems that can worsen later in life.

• The best way to put on a pack is to place it on a desk or table at waist height and then slip it on. Avoid twisting!

Please click on the following link. It will provide parents and students with facts and guidelines as to how to wear your backpack properly and how much weight you should carry. It is very informative and I recommend for everyone who carries a backpack, whether it be students, parents or teachers, to understand the best way to carry a backpack.
http://www.bcchiro.com/bcca/your-spine-your-health/documents/PackItLight-Handout.pdf

Information Provided By: BC Chiropractic Association http://www.bcchiro.com/bcca/your-spine-your-health/documents/PackItLight-ParentLetter.pdf