Injury Prevention Tips For Students Wearing Back Packs From A Fort Collins Chiropractor
Back packs are one of the leading causes of injury to the neck, back, and shoulders when used incorrectly and studies show more children are injured each year. Fort Collins chiropractor Dr. April Cardwell gives 7 injury prevention tips.

FORT COLLINS, CO, September 23, 2011 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Thousands of children, teenagers, and young adults across Colorado are going back to school and college with an accessory that has become just as common as pens and paper- the back pack. Back packs are one of the leading causes of injury to the neck, back, and shoulders when used incorrectly and studies show more children are injured each year. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission in 2004 more than 7,000 children were injured due to overloaded back packs. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission cited a nearly 300 percent increase in back pack-related injuries among school children in the last 10 years.

At least one state has taken action to reduce back pack injuries in children and teens. In California, legislation has been enacted to have school districts develop ways to reduce the weight of students back packs. Similar legislation is being considered in New Jersey too.

Children, teenagers, and young adults exhibit a variety of symptoms indicating a possible injury from the improper back pack use. Many of the injuries occur from children and teenagers carrying more than 20 percent of their body weight in their back packs. Fort Collins chiropractor Dr. April Cardwell explains, "Many children are complaining of middle back pain, neck pain, and also headaches due to the excess weight that is carried in there back packs. A back pack that is fitted properly and not overloaded will help to diminish these complaints."

There is much that a parent can do to make sure the back pack is safe for their child, teenager, or young adult. The American Chiropractic Association offers these tips for safe back packing.
1). Be sure the weight of the back pack is no more than 10 percent of your child's body weight. For instance, a 100 pound child should not carry more than 10 pounds of weight in a back pack. Heavier back packs cause the child's shoulders and upper spine to slump forward, possibly causing pain.
2). Back packs should have individual compartments to position the contents effectively.

3). Bigger is not better. The more room the back pack has, the more the child will carry.

4). Children should wear both shoulder straps with their back pack. Wearing only one shoulder strap can cause a shift of weight to one side, leading to neck, muscle spasms and low back pain.

5). Wide padded straps are very important for back comfort. The shoulder straps should be adjustable to fit the child's body.

6). If your teenager is outside after dark, have reflective material on the straps and back pack so they can be seen.

7). If a child suffers from a back condition already, consider using a rolling back pack.

There are some children who should not carry back packs on their backs. According to Dr. April Cardwell, "Children who have been diagnosed with scoliosis should not carry back packs on there backs. The weight of the back pack can affect the curvatures of the spine in a negative way especially in a child with scoliosis."

Press Release Contact Information:

April Cardwell
Spine Correction Center
Dr
1101 Oakridge Dr
Fort Collins, CO
USA 80525
Voice: 970-226-1117
Website: Visit Our Website