Is your backpack a back breaker?
Is your backpack a back breaker?
Biology textbook, geometry binder, English folder, history notebook...that's a lot of stuff to lug around in your schoolbag. Before you head back to school, Dr. Andrew Casden, associate director of New York's Beth Israel's Spine Institute, is giving you tips on avoiding neck, back, and shoulder pain caused by wearing a heavy backpack.
"Overloaded backpacks can lead to fatigue, muscle irritation, and tiny muscle tears that bring kids into the office with pain," Dr. Casden explains. "Students should know the proper way to wear their backpacks to avoid pain."
Here's how to prevent that pain in the neck. The weight of your schoolbag shouldn't be more than 20 percent of your body weight at the max. It's always a good idea to bend your knees when picking up heavy items, instead of bending over and straining your back.
Avoid wearing a backpack on just one shoulder -- using both straps balances out the pressure -- but if you love the look of a messenger bag then continually switch sides while wearing it. Also, your heaviest books and other items should always go at the back of your bag and closest to your body.
One last tip: your backpack shouldn't fall below your waist. If it does, you're putting excess strain on your shoulders. Check out our gallery to preview the cutest back-to-school backpack styles.
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- Posted on October 4, 2010
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I think it is best if a student doesnt carry as much materials . It is ok if they need but but really ? I think that the teachers should get the class set of the text books and keep it in their class room and not have the kids carry it in their bags
Backpacks do get heavy but, we can't blame it on the teachers. The books we have are big and we can't do anything about it. Some people say that we should use e-books but honestly I don't think they are worth it. In some classes we don't use the textbooks very often so carrying a heavy backpack every once in a while is fine. It makes your muscles stronger if you want to be optimistic... If we follow these steps to avoid pain from a heavy backpack we will be fine. Sometimes you cant go for the cute backpack or the "cool look" just carry your backpack the right way and last a couple minutes.
I have had this pain. It doesn't feel very good. From now on I will try these things to see if they work. The problem is that we get to much homework. So it is the teachers that make our back hurt.
I have felt this pain before. I prefer to wear my backpack the right way because it is more comfortable. Messenger bags are okay but they really hurt your shoulder. I always put the heavier items in the back because I can feel the difference. Muscle tears are horrible so you should wear your bag the right way.
How are you supposed to not carr a lot wen you have homework everyday and have to take all your textbooks home? I would not use only one strap. There is a reason there are two straps. Carrying all those textbooks home is heavy.
How are you supposed to not carr a lot wen you have homework everyday and have to take all your textbooks home? I would not use only one strap. There is a reason there are two straps. Carrying all those textbooks home is heavy.
The author informs us that a heavy backpack strains our backs and there are ways to help. What the article does not tell you is how to lighten the load, which surprises me. I think that if you didn't have so much in the first place, you wouldn't have problems. It helps to have a folder that you only put homework and papers that you need to do it in, and to make use of online textbooks, which takes about 10 pounds of the load.
News you can use:Mostly Everyday when I get home from school I have a lot of homework. My backpack is very heavy and then I have to carry it back to school the next day. I do use both straps of the backpack because if I didn't then my shoulder would probably not be doing well. Also, since they give you two straps, why just use one of the straps? If they give you both then use both, otherwise I would just get a one strap backpack. Homework will never end until school is out.
One fact would be The weight of your schoolbag shouldn't be more than 20 percent of your body weight at the max.I put on my heavy backpack all the time and i didn't even know any of that.Atleast now i know that's good to know for next time.
Thank you for the helpful tips! I don't have problem, but my brother does. His backpack weighs like a million pounds! He says it's all his homework books. I mean, give me a break. It does help so I don't have back pain myself. It could help prevent us from walking all funny in school and it would mean a couple days in the hospital, if it gets super serious. Just a warning. I mean we don't have to have 15 different things in our bag for homework, do we? Also like the funny picture up top. But I think it is exaggerating a little too much.