Back to school is around the corner. After preparing all the school supplies, there is something that we must not forget: the health of our children. Children are growing and we must take care of their back to avoid injuries that can become chronic. Let's see some tips on how to protect the back of children.
The backpacks
Backpacks are basic so they can carry everything you need. Books, notebooks, pencils, filing cabinets ... Today children have to take a lot of school supplies to school, and their back and neck suffer. We must be vigilant so that this does not occur.
Children should not carry more than 15% or 10% of their weight in their backpacks to avoid overload and prevent back problems and pain. To avoid this we must follow some tips to choose the best backpack for our children in order to avoid back pain. Let's see what are the details that we must look at when choosing a backpack.
How to choose the right backpack for your child?
- Backpack with wheels. When they were released they seemed the perfect solution for children not to carry so much weight. But specialists point out that pulling them increases the curve of your back and causes pain. In the case of choosing this option, the recommended thing to be regulable at the height of the child and instead of pulling them, push them from behind with a straight back.
- Backpack size appropriate for your age. It may seem obvious but many times for children to take advantage of the backpack for several years we can choose one that is too large. Ideally, choose a backpack appropriate to your age, which is no bigger than your back. We already know that the bigger the more things we end up getting into it. If you have to carry something else like the snack bag, it is better to take it separately to distribute the weight.
- That adapts to the curvature of the back. For this we must choose backpacks that end about 5 centimeters below the waist.
- Wide, adjustable and padded straps. So we can adapt them to the child's growth, and being wide they will protect their shoulders. Backpack must be attached to the back and take her hung on both shoulders so that they are compensated and prevent the back from twisting.
- That has the part of the back padded so as not to have direct contact with the books. It would also be ideal if they have a belt to fix the backpack at the waist.
- Take only what is necessary. Do not fill the backpack in case, to avoid carrying unnecessary extra weight. What to bring only what is necessary for each day.
Tips to protect children's backs
- Distribute the heaviest books close to the backThis reduces the stress on the back.
- Use your pockets of the backpack to distribute the weight.
- They should not carry the backpack for more than 15 minutes at a time. Make sure they do not exceed that time, if necessary help him.
- Get children to exercise regularly. This will allow them to exercise and strengthen their back and shoulders, and sedentary lifestyle is avoided.
- Teach them to lift their backpack bending your legs instead of your back, using both hands.
- Watch your son. If you see her arching her back or leaning forward, something is not right.
With these tips you will be prepared for going back to school by preventing back and neck problems that can get complicated over the years. Children are in full growth and it is very important that we watch the backpacks and their weight. More and more children are being consulted for headaches, back and neck pain, almost always caused by a excessive weight bearing of your backpacks and the bad postures they cause.
Because remember… we can save them future problems with these simple tips.