‘Blame your kid’s bad posture on the bag’

Ranjani Rajendra I TNN

Mumbai: Children with drooping shoulders, slouching backs and backache are not uncommon these days. Physiotherapists blame it on the heavy school backpacks they carry for most of the day.
    When Ayush Khera (name changed), 14, complained of chronic backache, his worried mother suspected a serious problem. He was referred to a physiotherapist, who told him that it was his heavy backpack that was responsible for all the pain.
    Shivangi Borkar, head of the physiotherapy department at Hinduja Hospital in Mahim said many of her patients with postural problems and backache are aged below 15. "The problem lies in the heavy backpacks children carry these days. With the ever-expanding syllabi, the number of books is increasing and so is the load on their spines. To make matters worse, children tend to carry their bags on one shoulder, due to which the load is distributed unevenly,'' Borkar said. When undue strain falls on the back, it can lead to poor chest expansion, decreased lung capacity and poor stamina, she said.
    Physiotherapists suggest that a backpack should never weigh more than 10% of the child's body weight. "The heavy load causes them to lean forward to battle the pain in their shoulders. This in turn leads to postural problems,'' said Ali Irani, head of physiotherapy unit at Nanavati Hospital in Vile Parle. Physiotherapists say that the wrong backpack can lead to several problems, such as bad posture, tired muscles, spinal problems, scoliosis and, if unchecked, severe ailments like a compressed spinal nerve.
    They suggest exercise and yoga to combat back problems. Tadasan, which stretches the entire body, is highly recommended. Incorporating 45 minutes of physical activity could help children battle these problems. "Care should be taken when choosing a backpack,'' said Borkar. She also suggested that schools provide children with locker facilities to ease their burden. Irani said, "Schools must appoint a physiotherapist to help children with postural problems. If the body is fit, the mind will also stay fit.''
BACKPACKS MUST HAVE:
Rigid spinal support that helps children adopt good posture and puts less strain on growing spines
Wide U-shaped padded straps to relieve pressure on the back muscles
Padded waist straps to distribute the weight from lower back to hip region
A balanced load that is aligned with the child's natural axis