The children have returned to school, but they’ve since been complaining about having a sore back. Sound familiar? Poorly fitted/packed school bags are a common source of back pain in school children. Incorrect back pack use over 12 years of schooling can lead to adverse changes in posture, as well as current issues with headaches, neck, shoulder and back pain. There are a few simple tips to remember when buying and packing your child’s school bag.
The school bag should:
- Be no more than 10-15% of your child’s body weight
- Be Australian Physiotherapy Association approved
- Have heavy items packed closer to your child’s back
- Be worn symmetrically i.e. over both shoulders. Single strap bags can cause asymmetry and distortion of the natural curves of the spine
- Have padding at the rear between your child’s back and items in the bag
- Fit snugly against your child’s back and not hang from their shoulders
i.e. change their bag position to look like this…
The school bag should not:
- Change your child’s posture when viewed from the front or side
- Be lower than your child’s waist, i.e. covering the buttocks
- Be higher than their shoulders when seated.
- We wider than their shoulders
If your child is complaining of back pain and you think their school bag may be contributing, give us a call to make an appointment.
Vibe Rehab - the blog 