| Backpacks are commonly associated with kids | | | | An overloaded bag can pull backward and cause the |
| carrying books to and from school. However, there | | | | child to lean forward to compensate, this can cause |
| are many other ways to use backpacks. Campers, | | | | compression of the vertebrae and pain in the neck and |
| hikers and mountaineers have been using backpacks | | | | shoulders. You don't have to abandon backpacks for |
| for decades. It allows them to have their hands free | | | | your kids. There are back friendly backpacks out |
| when climbing over a wall or fallen trees, using a | | | | there. You just need to know what to look for. Get a |
| walking stick when traversing rough terrain, or climbing | | | | bag that has wide shoulder straps, padded back and |
| a mountain and still being able to carry all of their gear, | | | | at the very least a waist belt. |
| makes the backpack a vital piece of their equipment. | | | | Ideally, it should have chest and side straps also. There |
| It was from these groups that college students first | | | | are other uses for backpacks. Young parents |
| got the idea to use backpacks as book bags. Now | | | | sometimes use backpacks for a diaper bag, when |
| most students at all grade levels use backpacks to | | | | they are out for a stroll in the park or are pushing junior |
| haul their school supplies back and forth. One concern | | | | in his jogging stroller. This is also a good way to carry |
| of parents and pediatricians is the increased incidence | | | | your water bottles, keys and other incidentals at the |
| of back, neck and shoulder pain, and numbing of the | | | | same time. Travelers often use backpacks as carry |
| hands and arms, among kids who routinely carry | | | | ons. |
| heavy backpacks to and from school. | | | | They fit easily under the seat or in the overhead bin, |
| When these symptoms could not be linked to any | | | | and you still have access to your book, notes |
| other causes, it was found that the one thing all the | | | | whatever. Many people carry their laptops in their |
| children had in common, was, that they all used | | | | backpacks, when flying or walking to work school. |
| backpacks. Obviously the backpack in and of itself, is | | | | Occasionally, women will use smaller backpacks as |
| not the whole problem. The load being carried, the way | | | | purses, again it leaves your hands free to push a cart |
| the pack is worn and the construction of the bags, | | | | or remove items from the shelf. It is also wise to use a |
| marketed as book sacks for kids, all contribute to the | | | | pack when bike-riding. |
| problem. Orthopedists, pediatricians, physical therapists, | | | | It leaves you free to handle the bike safely. Crafters |
| and chiropractors all agree that kids' backpacks, should | | | | will often use a backpack to transport fabric and other |
| not exceed 10-15% of their body weight, even when | | | | sewing notions to a guild meeting, leaving both hands |
| using ergonomically designed backpacks. | | | | free to carry the sewing machine. |
| Some groups say up to 20%, that is a 10-pound pack | | | | Hang several see through backpacks to store fabric |
| for a fifty pound kid. This is the equivalent of a 150lb | | | | by color. Hang them on a pegboard so that you can |
| adult, having a 30-pound weight bouncing repeatedly | | | | see at a glance what you have. This would also work |
| against his back, causing repetitive impact injury. Too | | | | for knitters and crocheters, as a yarn storage solution. |
| narrow, unpadded shoulder straps can pinch the | | | | As you can see there are many ways to use |
| nerves and cause numbness and tingling in the arm | | | | backpacks. I am sure you have ideas of your own. |
| and hand. | | | | |