Back-to-school backpack tips

Each year, millions of children carry backpacks to school filled with books, notebooks and other supplies. Parents should be aware that overly stressing the back with a heavy backpack could cause back pain in their child.

Hendrick Physical Therapist Matt McCreary provides a few simple tips to keep your child’s backpack load manageable.

Backpack Tips

• Fit backpack to length of child's torso and up to two inches below waist
• Always use both shoulder straps, keeping backpack close to body
• A chest or waist strap can be very helpful
• Weight of backpack should ideally be 10-20 percent of child's body weight
• Pack heaviest items in the middle and closest to the back
• Pack according to your child's schedule