Backpack Safety and Spinal Health
As children head back to school each year, most will carry backpacks filled with textbooks, notebooks, and supplies. While backpacks are a practical necessity, improperly fitted or overloaded bags can have a significant impact on a child’s developing spine and nervous system.
Common Problems Linked to Heavy or Poorly Fitted Backpacks
Carrying excessive weight may strain the muscles and ligaments in a child’s back and shoulders, often leading to discomfort or pain. An improperly adjusted or slung backpack can cause children to lean forward, round their shoulders, or arch their backs, creating posture problems that may set the stage for long-term spinal issues.
Over time, the effort required to manage a heavy pack fatigues the neck, shoulders, and lower back muscles, which sometimes results in persistent aches. Straps that dig in or bags that hang too low may even compress nerves, causing numbness, tingling, or weakness in the arms and legs.
A Strong Commitment to Backpack Safety
Dr. Ken Freedman is not only a veteran chiropractor with over four decades of experience, but also a recognized authority in backpack safety. As a Certified Backpack Safety America Instructor, he has devoted a significant portion of his career to educating the public, schools, and parents about this preventable health challenge.
A Record of Advocacy & Accomplishments
Over the years, Dr. Freedman has presented backpack safety workshops and seminars to PTAs and schools throughout New Jersey, teaching families how to select, pack, lift, and wear backpacks properly. He has also testified before the New Jersey Assembly Education Committee on the dangers of overloaded backpacks, advocating for legislation designed to protect children from unnecessary spinal stress.
Beyond the classroom, he has appeared on major news stations—including MSNBC, News 4 New York, and News 12 New Jersey—sharing practical advice and raising awareness about backpack safety. His published articles in local newspapers further emphasize that protecting a child’s spine is an essential part of overall well-being.
Beyond Backpacks: The Bigger Picture
While backpack safety remains crucial, Dr. Freedman highlights that children face many other physical, chemical, and emotional stressors that influence spinal health and overall development. From the birth process to sitting in poorly designed chairs, participating in sports, dealing with dietary challenges, and managing emotional pressures, these daily experiences can all contribute to spinal misalignments (subluxations).
Such issues may affect a child’s growth, resilience, and ability to thrive. Dr. Freedman believes regular spinal checkups are vital, not simply as a response to pain, but as a proactive step toward wellness that helps the body function at its best.
Backpack Facts That Parents Should Know
- Choose a backpack that fits your child’s body size—not one they’ll “grow into.”
- Keep backpack weight to no more than 10-15% of your child’s body weight.
- Encourage your child to use both straps and adjust them so the pack sits high and snug on the back.
- Help your child pack only what is necessary, placing heavier items closest to their back.
- Watch for signs of discomfort, postural changes, or complaints of pain, and address concerns early.
Skill and Experience You Can Trust
Dr. Freedman’s passion for child wellness and backpack safety is backed by decades of clinical experience, community service, and public advocacy. His unique qualifications allow him to assess spinal concerns related to backpack use and to provide guidance rooted in both science and real-life understanding.
Book a Spinal Checkup for Your Child
If you have concerns about your child’s posture, spinal health, or the impact of daily stressors—including backpacks—consider scheduling a spinal wellness checkup at Freedman Chiropractic. Early, proactive care can help put your child on the path to lifelong health.
