Backpack Safety
Lower back pain isn’t limited to adults. In children, improper use of backpacks is a common source of several ailments of the back, shoulders, and arms, and although we use chiropractic and holistic treatments at The Catalina Medical Center to get them healthy again, a preventive approach is always best. Backpacks are a better way of carrying items than shoulder bags or large purses, which unevenly distribute weight, making muscle strain and misalignment likelier. However, the backpack should only contain an amount equal to 15% of the wearer’s bodyweight, at most. It is a good idea to not use a backpack which is large enough to hold more than this, as well as to avoid using one with wheels and a pull-out handle if it is not usually being worn in a context where these can be used. Children should regularly switch out items throughout the day and avoid packing anything they are unlikely to need. The backpack’s shoulder straps should be padded, and wearers should always use both. They sho...