Spine Health + Backpacks
TOM BIHN bags, and accompanying straps, are designed to easily
adjust to your body and to ensure your comfort. Protecting your spine
is also important. This feature article at SpineHealth.com -- "Back
to School Means Backpack Safety" -- focuses on protecting
children's spines but its safety tips are good ideas for all of us at
any age:
Use both straps in order to better distribute the weight of
the backpack and to promote a well-aligned, symmetrical posture. Using
one strap means that one side of the body has to bear most of the
weight of the backpack.
Be careful when putting on and removing backpacks. Keep the trunk
of the body stable and avoid excessive twisting.
The backpack should be positioned evenly in the middle of the
back, near the wearer's center of gravity. The backpack should not
extend below the lower back. Adjust the shoulder straps so that the
child is able to put on and remove the backpack without difficulty.
While the straps should not be too loose, they should be adjusted to
permit free movement of the arms.
Keep the load at 10 percent to 15 percent or less of the child's
bodyweight. Children should carry only items they require for the day.
The heaviest items in the backpack should be positioned closest to the
back.
Encourage children to be active, in order to promote better
muscle strength and flexibility, which makes it easier to carry a
backpack.
darcy | 27 September 2007 9:44 am | Miscellaneous |
