Backpack Safety

    Is your child’s backpack causing them back pain? Wearing a backpack that is too heavy can cause health problems for your child later in life and can affect their abilities to do other activities, such as sports. If you are looking for a chiropractor in Port Jefferson, Dr. Sophia Argeropoulos is there to help your child with any back problems they may have and can give advice on what backpack could be right for them.

    There are many problems associated with carrying a backpack that is too heavy for your child. Children should not carry more than 15 percent their body weight on their back, as this extra weight can cause their body to move forward and arch unnaturally. We highly suggest against carrying a backpack on one shoulder, as this can strain the shoulder or neck. Tight, narrow straps can dig into the shoulders causing a lot of discomforts, including numbness if it’s on too tightly.

    In addition to buying the correct backpack, parents should also talk to their children and other parents about backpack safety. Encourage your child to tell you about the pain they might be having and if that pain is due to their backpacks being too heavy. If their bag is too heavy, help them unload the backpack, and maybe carry extra things in their arms if they have to. Encourage your fellow parents to talk to the school about backpack safety, as carrying too many heavy books at once can be a serious problem for children.

    Our chiropractor in Port Jefferson wants to help you and your children with any back problems they might have, and we encourage you to talk to your children about backpack safety. If you’re looking for a chiropractor in Port Jefferson, Dr. Argeropoulos thinks having the appropriate backpack will help your child in the long run, so do not be afraid to show them the proper ways to use their backpacks, and not to carry anything that is too heavy for them.