Afriend remembers his days as an eight-year-old paperboy fondly, except for the huge paper bag that hung off one of his slim shoulders, which was torture. Kids and adults are often carrying similar loads these days, through schoolyards and airports. Let's look at how we can be sensible about what we schlep around.
The spine isn’t straight
Since the spine isn’t straight, but more like an s-curve, the weight it bears will affect its various segments differently.
A 2018 study showed that at different angles, the pressure on the spine becomes more intense: “The force experienced by the neutral spine was 7.2-fold the added weight. For the 20 degrees-forward posture, this value rose to 11.6-fold.“
That means that one textbook in a bag — or anything else — puts seven times its weight on the spine! And if you lean forward just 20 degrees, it becomes 11 times as heavy. Good to know.
Healthy weights
Experts say that young adults should carry under 15 percent of their body weight, and college-aged adults should carry under 20 percent of their body weight in backpacks.
If your kid weighs 80 pounds, make sure their pack weighs under 12 pounds.
Too much for one shoulder!
Getting from point A to point B
If you just gotta make a trip with a heavy bag, here are some tips:
Don’t make a habit of it — find a more sustainable way to move things
Carry only what you need
Use both straps of the backpack, and tighten the straps.
Get the right-sized backpack with waist or chest straps. It should sit two inches above the waist
Pack the heaviest stuff near the center of the back
“Make the solution fun. “Another creative solution is to get a rolling backpack,” says Dr. Rome. “Make it a style statement. Let them put as many stickers or whatever else on to make them feel special carrying it.””
Tumplines
If you carry large loads in the boondocks, you may have heard of a tumpline. We can only speak from limited living room experiments, but we thought you might find this solution interesting. As always when experimenting, it’s wise to start slowly and get an in-person professional opinion (we’re here for you!).
Come visit us at Parkside
Come see our expert team at Parkside Clinic where we tailor our care to your specific condition and tap into your body’s natural healing ability. Make an appointment, or if you have any questions, contact us.