A child’s back is still in its development stage. If your child has been complaining of persistent back pain, it should be taken seriously. Children can only cope with a certain degree of back stress without causing damage. What’s causing back pain among children? Studies have revealed the number one culprit — their heavy backpacks in school!
To better understand the implication of back pain in children, we bring you some of the alarming statistics. Children’s back pain should be addressed as soon as possible to help them grow into adults with a healthy spine.
Imagine this. If your child weighs 60 pounds and carries around a backpack weighing 15 pounds and puts it down at least 10 times during the school day, he or she is repeated lifting one-fourth of his or her body weight. The problem can get even more terrifying if a child has a muscle strain, stress fracture, or scoliosis. The load they carry can aggravate their conditions and postpone their healing. So, what should parents and guardians do to help their children not add any further damage to their fragile, growing spines?
Not only do children miss school due to heavy backpack use, but they also skip physical education classes, after-school events, and summer camps. David Marshall, medical director of sports medicine at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, suggests parents check the bags of their children. Books and stuff that are not needed for the day can be left at home. He also recommends bringing your child to specialists for evaluation of the back muscles, posture, and core strength.
Rolling bags are not the best option. They may be popular in some locations, but there are dangers to using them. Some students must maneuver stairways. The bags can also pose a tripping hazard as they are placed in the hallway or classroom, or being tugged along behind a child.
Is your child’s spine healthy? It’s easy to assume your child’s spine is in good shape, but that is not always the case. Only doctors and professionals can accurately determine that. It only takes a minor accident as simple as a trip and fall to damage the upper cervical spine. Since your child’s spine is still developing, an injury now may result in a lifetime of problems if the problem is not addressed.
Upper cervical chiropractors can help young patients by evaluating the neck and back for any existing misalignments. If they find something that needs to be corrected, they use a gentle and safe method to help realign the vertebrae. Upper cervical chiropractic care is a natural method that encourages the bones to return into place by using mild pressure. Ensure the health of your child’s spine by visiting a chiropractic doctor near you.
The content and materials provided in this web site are for informational and educational purposes only and are not intended to supplement or comprise a medical diagnosis or other professional opinion, or to be used in lieu of a consultation with a physician or competent health care professional for medical diagnosis and/or treatment. All content and materials including research papers, case studies and testimonials summarizing patients' responses to care are intended for educational purposes only and do not imply a guarantee of benefit. Individual results may vary, depending upon several factors including age of the patient, severity of the condition, severity of the spinal injury, and duration of time the condition has been present.