Our kids commute to and fro from school almost every day. As you have probably noticed, your kids’ backpacks tend to get bigger and heavier each year with the increasing amount of textbooks and workbooks required by schools.
Kids and their bags are almost inseparable and they spend a huge chunk of their time lugging those heavy bags around. Backpacks come in all shapes, sizes and designs to make it appealing to our school kids but might neglect the very fundamentals of a good bag.
This may result in back aches, shoulder pains, neck strains and bad posture when carrying backpacks for long periods of time. Thankfully, ergonomic backpacks are here to save the day.
What is an “Ergonomic” Design?
Products that are ergonomically designed focus on health, comfort and efficiency. An ergonomic backpack encompasses weight distribution, how the bag fits on your back and shoulders and eliminates unnecessary pressure on the back.
Here’s the Real Problem
Although there isn’t a study that proves carrying heavy backpacks lead to scoliosis, there are a myriad of backpack related health problems. With the aid of MRIs scans, a 2014 study showed that kids with back pain and heavy backpack loads suffered disc compression in their lower backs, leading to painful problems as they age.
In 2010 another study reconfirmed that kids with heavy backpacks experienced disc compression coupled with lumbar asymmetry or lower back curvature, while another study conducted in Poland found that heavy backpacks can alter a young person’s spine shape.
According to Tel Aviv Researchers, heavy backpacks carried by kids in their formative years have the potential to damage soft tissues of the shoulder, resulting in microstructural damage to the nerves. This can cause minor irritation, but in worst cases cause nerve damage inhibiting hand movement and leading to fingers dexterity.
Here’s How An Ergonomic Backpack can Protect Your Spine
Carrying an ergonomic school bag can be beneficial in building bone density and promoting spinal health.
Here’s 4 things to look for in an ergonomic backpack.
1.Proper Height and Adjustable Straps
Firstly, in terms of height and torso length, an ergonomic backpack should be well fitted. According to a senior physiotherapist at the Singapore General Hospital, Jennifer Liaw, the ideal height of a backpack should rest between the C7 vertebrae and the top of the hip bone.
Thus, an ergonomic backpack doesn’t just come in terms of material but also by choosing the right size.
For example, some backpacks are designed for kids within the 150cm height range while others are meant for those who are 170cm in height and above.
Choosing the right backpack that is suited to your kid’s height is as important as the option of adjustable straps.
2. Thick and Comfortable Straps for Better Support
Most of the weight of the bag is carried on the shoulders. Thus it is important that an ergonomic bag have thick and comfortable straps such as the SWAN EASY PAC for better support.
This will make the bag more comfortable and prevent any strains or pains on their shoulders. A thinner strap with less padding will exert pressure on their shoulders which can damage their nerves.
3. Multiple Compartments to Distribute the Weight Evenly
Although an ergonomic backpack provides multiple compartments for your kids to store more items. The main purpose is to ensure that weight is distributed evenly. Heavier items should be packed closer to the backrest while the lighter items towards the outside.
Packing items unevenly into just one compartment can cause imbalance in weight distribution and affect overall posture. Signs of imbalances can be seen when your kid’s tend to lean forward while carrying their backpacks.
Thus, weight that is distributed evenly will promote a better standing posture and ensure spinal health. The Swan Orgin Metal Pac provides multiple and spacious compartments to help pack your backpack strategically and ergonomically for spinal health.
4. Padded Back Rest for Spinal Cushioning
Ideally, an ergonomic backpack is readily equipped with a padded backrest for spinal support cushioning. A properly padded backrest embraces the spine to ease stresses from carrying the backpack load promoting spinal health.
The Swan Ergolite takes it a step further with an ergonomically designed ventilated back padding making it more breathable and providing that extra layer of comfort.
5. Strong Base
Additionally ergonomic backpacks should come with a strong base to support the weight of the load.This prevents the backpack contents from moving around in different directions and tilting the overall balance of the backpack.
After all, without a strong base other ergonomic features would be factored out. Rest assured,SWAN Ergonomic bags ensurethat backpack weight be carried evenly across your kid’s shoulders,back and waist