Back to School Backpack Tips for a Healthy Spine

DATELINE: MARSHFIELD, MA... From shoes and clothes to a list of school supplies the length of your arm, families have begun to flock to malls to make their purchases for the new school year. While kids are concerned about the clothing styles they are wearing, Marshfield chiropractor Dr. Kate McDonough cautions that parents should be concerned about the backpack their child or teen will be wearing every day.

According to Dr. McDonough, children and teens are at risk for serious back pain and injury from ill-fitting or overloaded backpacks. Those who experience back problems in childhood are twice as likely to develop lifelong back problems.

"It’s not uncommon for a child to come in for chiropractic treatment due to shoulder strain he/she gets from slinging an overloaded backpack over his/her arm or wearing it on one shoulder," she explained.

Dr. McDonough offers timely back to school tips for selecting and wearing a backpack safely:

• Ergonomic is essential. Select an ergonomically designed backpack that distributes weight evenly over the shoulders and spine, such as the Samonsite Chiropak or ask your chiropractor to recommend a brand or check the fit of a backpack.

• Size is an issue. Although your child may select a backpack that holds everything but their desk, the smaller the backpack, the healthier it is for your child’s spine.

• The plusher, the better. In straps, not cost that is. Look for backpack straps that are very wide with plenty of padding. Make it a rule that your child wears both straps to ensure that backpack weight is evenly distributed.

• Lighten up. Backpacks, when full, should not weigh more that 10 percent of your child’s body weight. If your child weighs 100 pounds, then their backpack shouldn’t weigh more than 10 pounds. If it does, then you should talk with your child’s teacher to find a way to minimize the book load.

"If your child experiences tingling or numbness in the hands or pain in the back, neck or shoulder, these are symptoms of a too heavy or ill-fitting backpack that should not be ignored. Be sure to speak with your child’s physician or chiropractor immediately," advised Dr. McDonough.

For more information about backpack safety or about the Chiropractic Office of Dr. Kate McDonough, visit the website at www.drkatechiro.com or call the office (781) 837-4222.

Dr. Kate Chiropractic Services
Dr. Kate McDonough has been a chiropractic practitioner for more than 13 years, and has been situated in Marshfield for the past four years. Committed to providing the highest quality care and relieving patient pain, Dr. Kate McDonough offers comprehensive pain management services including chiropractic, physical therapy modalities, corrective exercises, lifestyle advice, nutritional counseling and spinal and postural screenings. Utilizing state-of-the-art chiropractic techniques, which include newer correction methods, patients’ chiropractic experience is even more safe, comfortable and effective than ever before.

Dr. McDonough believes that treating the whole body, not just the symptoms, plays an instrumental part in pain relief and healing. Patients range in age from infants to the elderly. The Chiropractic Office of Dr. Kate McDonough accepts most insurance plans including: Blue Cross/ Blue Shield, Harvard Pilgrim, MAMSI, Aetna, Harvard Pilgrim, United, Guardian, Medicare and others.

Located at 465 Furnace Street in Marshfield, the Chiropractic Office of Dr. Kate McDonough is open most evenings during the week. Afternoon and evening hours are Monday though Thursday. Morning hours are Tuesday through Friday. For more information, contact the office at (781) 837-4222 or visit the website at www.drkatechiro.com.

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CONTACT: Steven V. Dubin, PR Works, (781) 582-1061, sdubin@prworkzone.com,