Taking Control of Your Health
The Stern Chiropractic Newsletter
Featured Topic: BACKPACK SAFETY
Referral Corner:
The Greatest Compliment my Patients Can Give is the Referral of Their Friends and Loved Ones. Thank You For Your Trust. This month, I would like to thank the following people for their trust: Dr. Michael Perper, Eugene Tomceanu, Susan Dubin, and the Fliehman Family.
Charity Corner:
During the month of October, Stern Chiropractic is offering FREE Well Child exams for your children (a $90 value) in exchange for a $25 donation, per child, to the Jewish Council for Youth Services. In addition, 10% of the proceeds from your first purchase of children’s or adult vitamins and supplements will be donated to the JCYS.
Topic of the Month : BACKPACK SAFETY
October is Spinal Health Month. In honor of this, I will address this very important spinal health issue.
Please let the following information scare you into taking action because maintaining the health and wellness of our children is of optimal importance.
School-age children SHOULD NOT HAVE NECK AND BACK PAIN. If they do have these pains, there is something wrong and it should be corrected before it causes a lifelong problem.
Backpacks have emerged as an escalating health and safety issue. In fact, the majority of school-age children carry backpack loads that are too heavy for their developing bodies. If children are carrying too much weight on their backs and shoulders they may stretch or strain their muscles causing injury and curvature of the spine. A recent study indicated that long exposures to heavy backpacks can cause spinal pain that becomes chronic in nature and affects general activities of daily living. Heavy or improperly worn backpacks promote abnormal posture development and can possibly cause or accelerate structural spinal abnormalities such as scoliosis. The Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that in 1999, approximately 6,174 emergency room visits were a result of spinal injuries stemming from heavy backpacks and in the year 2000, the use of heavy book bags and carriers resulted in more than 6,500 injuries. THIS IS A PROBLEM. This increase in back pain amongst children isn’t surprising when you consider the disproportionate amount of weight they carry in their backpacks (often slung over just one shoulder). According to a recent study, the average child carries a backpack that would be the equivalent of a 39-pound burden for a 176-pound man or a 29-pound load for a 132-pound woman. Of those children carrying heavy backpacks to school, 60 percent had experienced back pain as a result. Other studies have shown that slinging backpacks over one shoulder can exacerbate the curvature of the spine in scoliosis patients.
These matters are of such great importance that according to the Associated Press, a bill is being considered in New Jersey that would set a maximum weight level for backpacks, while a California proposal would require school districts to find innovative, cost-effective ways to reduce backpack weight.
What Can We Do?
– Make sure your child’s backpack weighs no more than 5-10% of his/her body weight. Heavier backpacks will cause your child to bend forward in attempts to support the weight on his/her back, rather than on the shoulders, using the straps.
– The backpack should never hang more than four inches below the waistline. A backpack that hangs too low increases the weight on the shoulders, causing a forward lean when walking.
– A backpack with individualized compartments helps in positioning the contents most effectively. Make sure that pointy or bulky objects are packed away from the area that will rest on your child’s back.
– Bigger is not better. The more room there is in a backpack, the more your child will carry – and the heavier the backpack will be.
-Urge your child to wear both shoulder straps. Lugging the backpack around by one strap can cause the disproportionate shift of weight to one side, leading to neck and back muscle spasm as well as pain.
– Wide, padded straps are very important. Non-padded straps are uncomfortable and can dig into your child’s shoulders.
– The shoulder straps should be adjustable so the backpack can be fitted to your child’s body. Straps that are too loose can cause the backpack to dangle uncomfortably and cause spinal problems.
– Observe your child’s posture. If the child leans forward while walking, takes shorter strides while walking or uses his/her hands to protect the shoulders from the straps, it is an indication the backpack is too heavy.
– If the backpack is too heavy, talk to your child’s teacher. Ask if your child could leave the heaviest books at school, and bring home only lighter hand-out materials or workbooks.
– Consider the ACA-endorsed Chiropak, a school bag designed to ease much of the stress that carrying books can place on one’s body. Among other features, the Chiropack offers comfortable body-contact surfaces and an adjustable waist belt.
Note: If your child continues to complain of pain and strain from a heavy backpack, call me and schedule an appointment to bring him/her in to resolve the problem before it gets worse.
Products of the Month : Samsonite Chiropak Backpack
This backpack was designed to be truly ergonomic, reducing muscle fatigue and stress on the spine. The following are some of its great features: An internal spine that adjusts to mold to the carrier’s back, a contoured adjustable shoulder and chest straps that help position the pack onto the wearer’s center of gravity, waist straps with hip pads to help distribute the appropriate amount of weight to the pelvis, split compartments and compression straps to center the contents of the pack, a computer sleeve to keep large items close to the body and extra padding for comfort.
The pack comes in 3 sizes and I will take the appropriate measurements to properly size the pack for your child. Orders will be taken through the third week of October.
I hope this information helps you take control of your health and your life! If you have any questions, feedback or have any suggestions for future topics, please call or email me.
If you know someone who would be interested in receiving this newsletter, if you would like to receive this newsletter via email, or if you would prefer to no longer receive this newsletter, please let me know.
Don’t forget the importance of maintaining your health with regular chiropractic and acupuncture care.
Sincerely,
Gregg Stern, D.C., FICPA