The 5 Key Tips from Your Osteopath

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1. Choose a backpack with compartments

A backpack with several compartments helps distribute the weight of school supplies more evenly inside the bag.

2. Balance the load

Place the heaviest books and notebooks closest to your child’s back. This prevents the weight from pulling your child backwards and putting strain on the spine.

3. Prioritize shoulder comfort

Choose a backpack with straps that are wide and well-padded to reduce pressure on the trapezius muscles and protect the shoulders.

4. Protect the spine

Choose a model with proper back padding to absorb shocks and provide better support.

5. Adjust the backpack correctly

Tighten the straps so that the backpack sits as close to your child’s back as possible, without restricting their movements.

Wheeled backpacks: a good idea or not?

Often considered a great way to relieve pressure on the back, wheeled backpacks actually have some significant drawbacks. Because children tend to pull them with the same arm repeatedly, this can cause trunk rotation and create postural imbalance. In addition, their practical design can make us forget about the weight of the bag itself, leading us to overload it more than we would a traditional backpack.

The importance of posture during growth

Childhood is a crucial period for musculoskeletal development. It is during these years that children develop good or poor postural habits. Carrying a heavy load on the way to school, combined with long days spent—sometimes slouching—at a desk, can put considerable strain on their backs.

Consequences and osteopathic care

Back pain, neck tension, and shoulder pain are increasingly common among children and teenagers.

Many children may also develop what are known as “scoliotic postures,” which can sometimes be triggered or worsened by carrying a backpack that is too heavy. However, these should not be confused with true scoliosis, which is a structural deformity of the spine and rib cage. Nevertheless, pre-existing scoliosis can be aggravated by poor weight distribution.

The good news: although these symptoms are very common among school-aged children, they can often be effectively managed and relieved with osteopathic care.

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Rafaele Hana FEDIDA
Osteopath D.O.
Jerusalem