If we think of the back as fragile and something that we need to be careful about, it makes sense that wearing a backpack that doesn't fit right or weighs too much may cause pain. However, if you have read anything I have written about the back before, you will know, that although our spines can become painful, they are not fragile, they are designed to be very sturdy, and they are made to move. So maybe wearing a backpack does not contribute to back pain in kids? In 2018, a study was conducted (and published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine) to investigate whether characteristics of schoolbag use (i.e. weight, duration of use, bag design, method of carrying, and perceived exertion) are risk factors for back pain in children and adolescents. Based on the evidence from studies which included 1,851 children and adolescents and more than 60 studies, the authors found that schoolbag characteristics such as weight, design, and carrying method do not increase the risk of developing back pain in children in adolescents.
What this study does mean is that we DO NOT need to be scared about having our kids carry backpacks or having weight in the backpacks. We do not want to create fear and concern out of something when there is no reason to.
Our spine (and our kid's) is strong, able to adapt to heavier loads, and robust. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions. As always, thanks for reading. Bob
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