Back to School: Protecting Your Child Spinal Health

Dr Cooper Hart - Chiropractor
Feb 4
2 min read

Updated: Feb 7

With the start of the school year, parents are preparing their children for success, ensuring they have all the necessary supplies, books, and essentials. However, one important aspect that often gets overlooked is the physical impact of carrying a heavy backpack and maintaining good posture. Poor posture, scoliosis, and excessive backpack weight can all negatively affect a child’s well-being. Here’s what you need to know and how you can help your child stay healthy throughout the school year.

Poor Posture: The Silent Culprit

Poor posture can develop gradually and lead to long-term health issues, including back pain, muscle strain, and reduced mobility. Children are especially vulnerable due to prolonged periods of sitting in classrooms and carrying heavy school bags. Signs of poor posture include slouching, forward head posture, and rounded shoulders.

How Parents Can Help:

Encourage children to sit up straight with their feet flat on the ground.
Ensure their study area at home promotes good posture with a supportive chair and desk at the right height.
Encourage breaks from screen time to stretch and move around.

Scoliosis: What Every Parent Should Know

Scoliosis is an abnormal curvature of the spine that often develops during childhood and adolescence. If left undetected, it can lead to discomfort, uneven shoulders, and potential long-term spinal issues. While some cases of scoliosis are mild, early detection is crucial to preventing complications.

How Parents Can Help:

Regularly observe your child’s posture and check for uneven shoulders, hips, or a noticeable curve in the spine.
Encourage activities that promote a strong core and back muscles, such as swimming or yoga.
Schedule a scoliosis screening to detect any potential concerns early.

The Impact of Heavy Backpacks

An overloaded backpack can cause strain on a child’s back and shoulders, leading to muscle fatigue and posture issues. A heavy school bag can also contribute to back pain and exacerbate pre-existing conditions like scoliosis.

How Parents Can Help:

Choose a backpack with wide, padded straps and encourage children to wear both straps to evenly distribute the weight.
Keep the backpack’s weight at no more than 10-15% of the child’s body weight.
Pack only essential items and encourage the use of lockers or digital textbooks where possible.

Free Posture, Scoliosis & School Bag Checks in February

To support children’s spinal health, Benz Chiropractic is offering FREE Posture, Scoliosis & School Bag Checks for the month of February, every Wednesday afternoon from 3:30 PM onwards.