BACKPACKS: Pack it light and wear it right!

School kids today not only have a lot on their minds, statistics show that they are also carrying a heavy load on their backs. 

A recent poll indicates that 76 per cent of Ontario Chiropractors agree that overloaded backpacks are a leading cause of back and neck pain in many of their school aged patients. 

The long-term implications of carrying a heavy backpack are poor posture,  neck and arm pain as well as irritation of the spine, joints and muscles. 

To avoid problems, start by choosing the right backpack.  Make sure the backpack is made of lightweight material, has two wide, adjustable shoulder straps that do not cut into the arm, contains a waist belt, several individual pockets, a padded back and is proportionate to the child’s body size.

The load in a backpack should not exceed 10 percent of the child’s body weight for elementary aged school children and 15 percent for those in secondary school. And the contents should be evenly distributed with heavy items packed closely to the body. 

When putting the backpack on, a child should place the backpack on a table or chair, bend at the knees and lift with the legs while putting on one shoulder strap at a time. Before your child walks out the door remind him or her not to wear the bag on one shoulder and to adjust the straps so the bag fits comfortably close to the body. 

Having your child checked by a Chiropractor may be your first step  in adding a preventative approach to your family’s healthcare.

Suffering from Heartburn?

by Dr. Brent Lipke DC

Oh, this heartburn is killing me!  Have you ever wondered why you get heartburn now when you eat things like tomatoes or peppers but you didn’t get it before ?  Do you think the tomatoes changed, or did you ?

Heartburn is caused, not by too much acid, but by acid in the wrong place.  A muscle at the top of the stomach keeps the acid from splashing up into the esophagus which it is not protected by mucous.

 When a spinal misalignment in the mid-back occurs, it can choke the nerve supplying this muscle, allowing acid to reverse up the esophagus.  Instead of using medications to decrease the acid in your stomach, chiropractic removes pressure from this nerve, restoring function to this muscle, keeping the acid down where it belongs.

 To learn more about how a safe, gentle and scientific, Chiropractic adjustment could TRANSFORM your health contact your chiropractor.  If you are interested in a complimentary consultation, CALL at The Family Chiropractic Centre, 519-837-1234. 

I’m Dr. Brent Lipke, educating you to help you educate others !