Younger students often experience pain from carrying heavy backpacks. Lugging textbooks, folders, lunches, and drinks quickly adds extra weight, which can lead to strained necks from hunching over or lower back pain.
How Heavy Is Too Heavy?
On average, a backpack should not weigh more than 10-15% of a person’s body weight. However, children from 6 years old to 10 years old weigh an average of 50 to 100 pounds. To keep their backpack a safe weight, they should carry a pack weighing five to fifteen pounds. The average textbook weighs about three pounds, showing how easily a backpack can become overloaded. Signs of an overweight backpack include red shoulders from the straps, back pain, or incorrect posture.
To avoid overloading a backpack, students should wear both straps at all times. Students tend to wear a single strap for convenience. However, the uneven weight on the back can cause lower back pain. Wearing the backpack on the mid-back muscles prevents students from hunching over while carrying a sagging pack. Also be aware of which items are needed for each day to avoid carrying unnecessary weight.
All Backpacks Aren’t Created Equal
Along with some basic guidelines, finding an appropriate backpack is necessary for a student’s safety. When shopping for a backpack, it is common to make utility a primary characteristic. This can lead to purchasing a pack that it too large for the student. Make sure the size and weight of the backpack is appropriate for the student, along with thick straps and appropriate distribution of weight. Buying a pack with a padded back will provide more comfort for the student.
According to physical therapist and co-owner of the Fountain Hills clinic, Christy Shaft, PT, listening to your child is a sign to investigate if their pack is too heavy. If the student begins to complain of back pain, or red marks appear from their straps, a new pack or lighter load may be necessary. Double checking the contents of the backpack may be useful, as children sometimes carry unnecessary weight from extra unused paper or folders.
To assist parents, the Spooner PT staff will assist determining if a student’s backpack is an appropriate fit for each student, completely free of charge. The screening begins by bringing in a backpack filled with the typical items a student takes to school, including their lunch and beverage. Along with weighing the fully loaded bag, the therapists will weigh the child to determine is the bag is not overweight. The therapists will then test the student’s strength and flexibility and analyze their physical structure to carry the pack.
The screenings will also determine if the student may need any physical therapy from preexisting pain caused by the bags. Overall, the free service is provided to prepare each student for success by preventing any injury that can be caused by overweight backpacks.
Learn more about Pediatric Physical Therapy at Spooner Physical Therapy. Ready to schedule an appointment? Schedule an appointment or complimentary movement screen with a Spooner physical therapist at one of our locations throughout the valley.