Your to-do list is filled with tasks to prepare for the school year, including buying the right items. Amidst all the planning, our team at Advanced Family Chiropractic & Rehabilitation in Imperial wants to ensure that you choose the best backpack for your child. To assist you, we've put together this quick guide.

Why Choosing the Right Backpack Matters

When we talk about the "best" backpack, we're not referring to the brand. We're concerned about its impact on your child's health. The best backpack is one that isn't overloaded, offers proper support and weight distribution, and is appropriately sized. These factors are crucial because they can lead to various problems for your child both now and in the future. An improperly chosen backpack can exert undue pressure on the spine, resulting in the following issues and more:

   • Your child might lean forward to compensate, leading to an unnatural spinal curve and improper posture.

   • Reduced blood flow, affecting the whole body, including vital organs, and causing numbness and tingling in the arms.

   • Headaches, shoulder pain, neck pain, and back pain, which can interfere with school focus, sleep, and overall energy levels.

   • Nerve compression and tension, which could persist from school years into adulthood.

Tips for Selecting and Using Backpacks

To prevent the aforementioned problems and more, consider these tips:

   • Ensure the backpack has two straps, and encourage your child to use both of them.

   • Adjust the shoulder and weight straps to keep the backpack close to the body.

   • Opt for a size that's as small as necessary, fitting only the required supplies. Too much space can lead to over-packing. The loaded bag should weigh less than 15% of your child's body weight.

   • Regularly remove unnecessary items from the backpack.

   • Look for padded straps and a padded back.

   • Teach your child to lift the backpack using their legs instead of bending over.

Visit Our Pediatric Chiropractor in Imperial, MO

You can further alleviate headaches, neck pain, shoulder pain, and back pain through consistent chiropractic care. At Advanced Family Chiropractic & Rehabilitation, our team can help you and your child address any spinal damage and alleviate unnecessary discomfort. Contact us at (636) 464-5900 to schedule an appointment today.