Children’s Backs and Back Packs
As kids progress through another school year, workloads increasing and exams approaching, there seems to be a lot more of a load in their school bags. Whilst we might not usually associate children and back pain, there are many factors in modern life which effect children’s bodies and cause issues in this area.
Development of the Skeleton
During childhood and adolescence, many bones are still very cartilaginous and as such their development is much affected by the stresses and strains that are placed upon them. Neurological control and movement patterns are also still developing and activity at this time will have a huge influence on future physical health.
Weight and appearance are generally stated as the main motivation for movement and exercise, and clearly weight and health are very important. However, we forget about the role movement plays in our physical development and how it can effect physical health later in life. You will probably all have seen toddlers playing in this natural squat position, how many of us can do it that comfortably now? It isn’t age that takes this balance and stability away from us, it is more that we use it or lose it.
Back Pack Tips
In the short term, the best quick fix is to;
1) Make sure to get a good quality back pack. This should be well fitted to the back, have a waist strap (which loads the pelvis rather than just the shoulders). It should also not extend too far back as this shifts the centre of gravity which requires a forward stoop to balance.
2) Ideally the bag should have padding at the back and shoulders.
3) Don’t overload the bag. Carry only which books are necessary, try to store as many as possible in lockers and if possible carry notes or photocopies of important pages rather than whole textbooks.
4) Always carry the bag on both shoulder straps so that the load is carried evenly.
Treatment of Back Pain in Children
At The Courtyard Clinic we have lots of experience in treating children. Treatment techniques are usually very similar to those used with adults but because children tend to react to treatment more easily, treatment is more subtle and applied much more gently. Causes of musculoskeletal pain in children are varied but because they haven’t been around as long, patterns of strain in children are usually quite simple and most problems resolve within a couple of sessions.
In the Long Term
So what is the best advice in the long-term? Children shouldn’t need to do regular stretches or exercises to keep a healthy skeleton, they just need to be kids. Most children will instinctively run, jump, climb, balance, crawl, tip-toe, hop etc, all the activities that help develop balance and movement mechanisms so well. They just need to be put in the right environment. Screen-time is a part of life now, devices are a great tool for education and entertainment, just try to limit the time a child spends on a device and in a chair. Try to make sure they get plenty of time unplugged and outdoors, they’ll probably do the rest. There’s a bit of weather about at the moment that sometimes puts people off getting outside, but in the words of Billy Connolly
“I hate all those weathermen who tell you that rain is bad weather. There’s no such thing as bad weather, just the wrong clothing, so get yourself a sexy raincoat and live a little.”