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BETHESDA, Md., Sept. 6 /PRNewswire/ — With two weeks to go until the annual National School Backpack Awareness Day, occupational therapy practitioners across the United States are gearing up to help students “Pack It Light, Wear It Right!” The event, sponsored by the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), is set for Wednesday, September 19, 2007.Occupational therapy practitioners, researchers, and students are holding events across the United States to educate students on the proper way to wear a backpack and how much weight to carry. More than 40 million students in the United States carry backpacks. According to one study, 6 out of 10 students ages 9-20 reported chronic back pain related to backpacks.
AOTA has published ten tips to avoid backpack-related health problems:
1. Never let a child carry more than 15% of his or her body weight. This
means a child who weighs 100 pounds shouldn't wear a backpack heavier
than 15 pounds.
2. Load heaviest items closest to the child's back and arrange books and
materials to prevent them from sliding.
3. Always wear both shoulder straps. Wearing only one strap can cause a
child to lean to one side, curving the spine and causing pain or
discomfort.
4. Select a pack with well-padded shoulder straps. Too much pressure on
shoulders and necks can cause pain and tingling.
5. Adjust the shoulder straps so that the pack fits snugly to the child's
back. The bottom of the pack should rest in the curve of the lower
back, never more than four inches below the child's waistline.
6. Wear the waist belt, if the backpack has one, to help distribute the
pack's weight more evenly.
7. Check what your child carries to school and brings home to make sure
the items are necessary to the day's activities.
8. If the backpack is too heavy, consider using a book bag on wheels if
your child's school allows it.
9. Choose the right size pack for your child's back as well as one with
enough room for necessary school items.
10. If a student is experiencing back pain or neck soreness, consult your
doctor or occupational therapist.
Teaching proper backpack ergonomics is just one of the many ways occupational therapy practitioners can help students stay healthy and succeed in school. Occupational therapists also have expertise in correcting handwriting problems, helping children learn social skills, and teaching students effective and efficient ways to learn in school. These health care professionals work with students in every school district in the country. continue reading...
