Backpain

BACK TO SCHOOL: Backpack selection and safety

Originally printed at http://www.nbcaugusta.com/news/business/52376822.html

AUGUSTA, Ga. - More than 40 million students carry backpacks to school and thousands end up in the emergency room from injuries related to them.

Getting ready for back to school would not be complete without the search for a new bookbag, but before you make that purchase, check out what the experts want you to know.

"My kids are walkers and last year, my son would come home and tell me, 'Mommy my back is hurting, my back is hurting," Jessica Beckham said.

Beckham says new bookbags are on this year's back to school list for sure.

"Sometimes it was so heavy, I wouldn't want to wear it," she explained.

Occupational therapist, Dr. Mariana D'Amico says heavy, uncomfortable backpacks are common causes of aches and pains for students.

Preventing those injuries, starts with selecting the right size and type of bag for your child.

She says you should look for bags made with lightweight materials, padded straps and padded back panels.

Experts also say your child should never carry more than 15 percent of his or her weight.

If the bag is too heavy, try adding wheels. Dr. D'Amico says rolling bags can be a good solution for smaller, elementary and middle school kids if they're getting heavy books to carry back and forth.

Experts say the right fit is essential to avoiding pain with your bag as well.

Dr. D'Amico says a properly adjusted backpack should rest in the small of the back, straps should be snugly adjusted and if there is a waist strap, it should be snugly fastened as well.

Wearing shoulderbags are OK, but Dr. D'Amico says it should be worn a certain way to alleviate strain and balance the weight of the bag. She says the strap should go diagonally across the body with the padded shoulder strap in place. She also recommends alternating shoulders to keep muscles from getting tired on one side.

"You wanna alternate so you're not always carrying it on one side if it's too heavy," Dr. D'Amico said.

Keep in mind each school has different policies about rolling backpacks. Check with your school to find out what kind of bags are allowed on campus.