Back Pain from Heavy Backpacks

According to a study done by Carrington College is 2011:

–          92% of students carry backpacks more than 10-22% of their body weight

–          6 out of 10 students age 9-20 said their backpacks give them constant back pain

–          30-50% of adolescents experience back pain because of their backpacks

–          Adults who carry a backpack at 10% of their body weight for 30 minutes can’t completely recover from pain after another 30 minutes without the backpack

How to prevent pain from backpacks:

–          Always wear the backpack on both shoulders

–          Put the heaviest objects in the backpack close to the back

–          Don’t wear the straps too loose

–          Get a backpack with a waist strap

–          Make sure the backpack weighs only 10-15% of one’s body weight