The best backpack is the one with the best support for your back!

As kids head back to school, it’s time to consider that “back-to-school cool” is about a lot more than the design on their backpack. How we carry bags and backpacks is crucial to ensuring we properly support spine health. Your child’s backpack, or possibly the one you use for work, is used daily. Here’s a little chiropractic advice for choosing the best backpack for back support.

 

Tips for Choosing the Best Backpack

Choose the Right Size Backpack

You will want to make sure to choose a backpack that is proportionate to the size of the person carrying it. Don’t send your small kindergartener to school in the backpack your third grader used last year. A backpack isn’t something you want your child to “grow into.” Having a backpack that doesn’t fit correctly can ultimately lead to back pain and spinal misalignments.

 

Find a Backpack with Chest and Waist Straps

Have you ever hefted your backpack up and used your hands to hold the straps to help ease the load on your back, or watched your child do it as they got out of the car to head into school? This is because the backpack isn’t sitting correctly, causing discomfort and pulling on your back. A bag with either chest straps, waist straps, or both will help to keep the backpack securely in the right place. This keeps the backpack’s weight centered, making it easier on your spine.

 

Get a Bag with Large, Padded Straps

The more width you have covering the shoulders, the more evenly distributed the weight. Thin straps will cause the backpack to pull even more on your shoulders. Padded straps also help add comfort for ease of carrying. You will also want to make sure the straps are adjustable to get the fit needed for each individual.

Consider a Rolling Backpack

Whenever possible, you should take your backpack off when you’re able. Another option is to consider a rolling backpack, thus removing the weight from your back and relieving the pressure from your spine. Make sure to alternate hands occasionally when rolling so that each side of your body is getting a chance to haul the weight. 

 

Chiropractic Advice: Don’t Overload the Backpack

Loading any bag down with too much weight is one of the quickest ways to cause back problems. Clean out your child’s backpack each night, so there are no leftover papers or anything that can add unnecessary weight. For everyday wear like school and work, you will want to keep the weight of the backpack within 10-15 percent of your body weight.

 

Why is choosing the best backpack so important?

Choosing the best backpack for back support is important because your spine houses your spinal cord, which directly connects to your nervous system. Carrying the wrong bag can disrupt the spine’s natural alignment, which disrupts the nervous system’s normal function. When your nervous system isn’t functioning properly, your immune system is compromised, among other things. 

We all know how hard it can be to keep kids from getting sick when they return to school. We don’t want to make keeping them well even harder. Make sure you support your spine by choosing the best backpack for back support. Regularly visiting a chiropractor will also help correct misalignments caused by poor backpack wear. 

 

Back Support in Oviedo, Florida

Our chiropractic team at ProCare Oviedo Chiropractors is here to help support you throughout the school year and all year long. We are passionate about healthy living and optimizing health with a comprehensive approach to wellness. Our services include chiropractic adjustments, spinal decompression, assisted stretching, physical therapy, and more. We are located in Oviedo, Florida, central to Orlando, Winter Springs, Casselberry, and Winter Park.