What Problems Can Backpacks Pose?

Although many factors may lead to back pain and spinal injury - poor posture while sitting, long periods of inactivity, and carrying around a heavy backpack can lead to serious spinal problems. When children carry
around their entire locker's worth of books, school supplies, and assorted personal items all day long, they can - over time - injure their spines and the surrounding muscluature. Most doctors agree that kids should carry
no more than 10% to 15% of their body weight in their packs.

To help understand how heavy backpacks can affect your child's spine and skeletal system, it helps to understand how the back works. Your child's spine is made up of 24 bones called vertebrae, and between the vertebrae are discs that act as natural shock absorbers. When a heavy weight, such as a backpack filled with books, is incorrectly placed on your child's shoulders and/or is carried incorrectly, the weight of the backpack can pull your child backward. To compensate, your child may bend forward at the hips or arch his or her back, which can cause your child's spine to compress unnaturally. Because of the heavy weight, your child might begin to develop shoulder, neck, and back pain and/or a scoliosis.

This test is designed to show you and your child the effects (if any) of carrying a heavy backpack around for 10 months each year.

First Name:
Last Name:
Date:
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Yes
No
Postural Abnormalities With Back Pack Off
High Shoulder
Left
Right
Head Tilt
Left
Right
Scapula High
Left
Right
Pelvis High
Left
Right
Postural Abnormalities With Back Pack On
High Shoulder
Left
Right
Head Tilt
Left
Right
Scapula High
Left
Right
Pelvis High
Left
Right
 
 
Yes
No
With your child standing at "Attention", shirt off, do you notice a curve in their spine when looking at their spine from behind?
Symptoms / Health Problems With Back Pack On
Headaches
Neck Pain
Muscle Pain
Tingling Hands
Low Back Pain
Activities of Daily Living That Increase / Decrease Symptoms
Sitting
Standing
Bending
Lifting
Carrying
Pushing
Pulling
Reaching
Activities of Daily Living Patient Would Like To Do, But Can't
Sports
Work-Related
Home Activities
Previous Musculoskeletal Complaints / Previous Accidents
At Home
At Work
From Sports

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