Keeping Your Child’s Back Healthy

  Back pain is becoming much more common in children? Here are three important ways to help your child’s back stay healthy:
  Always make sure the backpack your child carries is not too large or heavy. As a general rule, your child should carry a backpack that weighs no more than 5% to 10% of their own body weight. A rolling backpack could be a good option if your child has a lot of heavy books. You also may want to consider borrowing or purchasing a book or set of books to keep at home each year so your child doesn’t have to transport heavy books home each day for homework.
  No slouching! Help your children learn and practice proper posture as toddlers. It’s not just about standing up straight when you are walking. Children need to learn to sit up straight when working on a computer, playing a video game or watching television. Make it a family rule that everyone has to take breaks from the electronics at regular intervals to get up and move around.
  Promote physical activity from the start. Start the exercise habit early! Don’t just encourage your young ones to go out and play. Make daily exercise — walking, playing in the park, running around the yard — a part of your family’s routine.

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