Lightening the school bag protects the spine
With the opening of schools just days away, school shopping has begun. The choice of school bag, which is at the top of the list, is very closely related to the health of the child's spine. Drawing attention to the fact that the weight of the bags should not be more than 'un of the body weight in order to protect the spine of children, experts warned that "the bag of a child weighing 40 kg should not be more than 4 kg" and listed the tricks of a healthy school bag.
Üsküdar University Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Department Head Assoc. Prof. Dr. Defne Kaya said that according to researches, low back pain increases with age in children who go to school with heavy backpacks, and even the rate of applying to a doctor with the complaint of herniated disc at least once between the ages of 14-17 has increased to 70%.
Noting that carrying a backpack with a certain weight strengthens the muscles and bones of children, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Defne Kaya said, "The most important point here is that the weight of the bag is under control. Even if there is an upper limit, do not allow your child to carry more than 'un of their body weight on their shoulders," she warned.
The way the bag is used affects the spine!
Pointing out that the risk of herniated disc increases if the weight of the bag is more than 20% of the body weight, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Defne Kaya states that when preparing the bag; it should be remembered that this weight will affect the body more with factors such as long distance, going up and down stairs, going up and down slopes. Reminding that backpacks that cross the body and load on one side protect the spine smoothness more than bags worn on one shoulder, Kaya gives the following advice to parents:
"Adjust the bag yourself for the first use. Make sure whether they feel pain, whether they can carry it comfortably, and whether the shoulder and waist belts fully wrap the shoulder and waist. Remind your children to use both shoulder straps frequently. Teach them to lift and carry all heavy objects without bending forward, using their leg muscles and keeping them close to their body. Teaching these things will protect your child's spinal health. If you want your teachings to turn into behavior in your child, you need to apply all these things yourself."
14 tricks for a healthy school bag
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Defne Kaya listed the 14 points that are necessary for a healthy school bag and should be known in bag use as follows:
"Prefer bags made of lightweight materials.
Prefer bags with two shoulder straps about 5 cm wide and a lumbar support pad, with soft support material on the straps and lumbar support pad.
The bag should have different sections and pockets.
Prefer bags with belts/straps that wrap around the hips and pelvis and take the weight of the bag from the shoulders.
Wheeled bags provide less load on the body.
The widest and center part of the bag with the most items should be at the level of the child's waist area. Adjust the shoulder and waist straps accordingly.
The lumbar support pad of the bag should fully and appropriately fill and wrap around the child's waist curve.
A separate bag can be arranged for heavy electronic devices.
Things to know when using the bag!
Always carry the bag with both shoulders.
Carry heavy objects close to the body and slightly lower.
Do not place pointed objects close to the back of the bag.
Place the bag on the back using the leg muscles.
Carry the bag on his/her back with straight arms and without bending his/her body forward.
Should not lean his/her torso forward while walking.