Background Research Heavy Backpack Health Issues in Youth and Children and How the Back Works
In order to sufficiently understand the effects of heavy school bags on students’ backs, we must first understand how the back works. Doctors will confirm that our spines consist of 33 bones, called vertebrates. These vertebrates connect and form our spinal cord; a vital part of the human body in which the central nervous system is located. Not only this, but the nerves of the peripheral nervous system, which are intertwined between vertebrates, works with the central nervous system to create the motor, sensory, and autonomic functions of our body. Motor functions are messages sent from the brain through nervous systems to move body parts and monitoring everyday movements. Sensory systems, coming from the word “sense”, are messages sent through our nerves telling us of what we are feeling. Without these nervous systems, we wouldn’t be aware of our temperature, what we’re touching, or where and when we’re in pain. As prior mentioned, regular spinal cords consist of 33 vertebrates. In between each vertebrate, continuing throughout the spinal cord, there are bones connected each vertebrate to the previous and next vertebrates. These bones form a part of the spine called the spinal canal. Running through the spinal canal are the nerves of the aforementioned central and peripheral nervous systems, extremely important parts of our body. Furthermore, the discs between these vertebrates are used as shock absorbers, helping to the brain and nervous systems from feeling the pain inflicted after the back has been hurt or damaged. There are three natural curves in the back: the cervical curve, the thoracic curve, and the lumbar curve. The cervical curve (labeled orange in the picture above) is found at the top of the spine, reaching above the shoulders and near the neck. The thoracic curve, found in between the shoulder blades (labeled in green) is where backpacks should be placed with most of the weight when worn properly. Finally, the lumbar curve (labeled in purple) is located towards the bottom of the spine, used often when bending from the waist. Clearly, the back is a vital part of the human body, allowing everyday movement, nervous systems, and comfort function throughout parts of the human system.
Back Problems Caused by Heavy Backpacks
When wearing a backpack, these three curves support the backpack. However, heavy backpacks can distort these natural curves, deeply damaging students’ growing backs. Doctors recommend not to carry more than 10-15% of your own body weight. If backpack straps are too loose or too tight, the weight of the backpack is not distributed evenly, causing one part of the back to have too much weight, and another part of the back to have too little. Because of the immense pressure on the spine, neck, and ribcage, kids then try to even out the weight by slouching and leaning forward with their backpacks on. This creates bad posture and later back pain, meanwhile stunting a kid’s growth. Going into this unnatural position also causes the back to bend in unnatural positions. This affects the natural reflexes of the spinal muscles. It is dangerous if your backpack is over 15% of your body weight. Carrying your backpack with only one strap makes all your weight move to one side of your body, which shifts your natural balance. Many kids carry messenger bags or carry their backpacks with one strap, but they do not realize how it affects the development of their bones. At a young age, if a child has back pain, there is a greater concern for the possibility of a serious condition. Spinal tumour, growth, or an infection of the spine are very common effects. Therefore, if the back pain persists in a younger child, it is far more dangerous than in an adult.
Results on the Spine and its Growth
Carrying heavy backpacks causes nerve root pain. Nerve root pain means that a nerve coming from the spinal cord is irritated or pressed on. Over 90% of nerve root back pain are due to a prolapsed disc (often called a slipped disc). The inner softer part of the disc can press on a nearby nerve that can lead to severe back pain. Nerve root pain is triggered when constant heavy weight is put on your lower spine. When a disc prolapses it no longer has its normal nutrition and so usually shrinks quite quickly. As you get older your discs become stiffer, that is why you should take care of your spine in your youth as it is still very sensitive to even the slightest of disruptions. When disrupted, the gel seeps through the disc and irritates and compresses a nearby nerve root. Back pain is usually felt between the lower ribs and the buttocks area.
Scroll down for a visual presentation of effects on the back from backpacks, and how it works
Bibliography
"Backpack Safety." KidsHealth. The Nemours Foundation, 1997-2017. Web. 19 Jan. 2017.
<http://kidshealth.org/en/parents/backpack.html>.
"How Your Back Works." How Your Back Works - Fairview Health Services. Fairview Health Services,
2016. Web. 19 Jan. 2017.
<https://www.fairview.org/HealthLibrary/Article/82320>.
Huang, MD Julian. "Potential Causes of Back Pain in Children and Teens." Spine-health.
Veritashealth.com, 10 July 2002. Web. 19 Jan. 2017. <http://www.spine-health.com/conditions/back-pain-children/potential-causes-back-pain-children-and-teens>.
IFuse Video - Sacroiliac Joint Fusion. IFuse Video - Sacroiliac Joint Fusion. SI-BONE, n.d. Web.
3 Nov. 2016.
Part, By Body. "AAOS - OrthoInfo." AAOS - OrthoInfo. American Academy of Orthopaedic
Surgeons, n.d. Web. 03 Nov. 2016.
<http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/>.
PhD, John J. Triano DC. "Backpacks and Back Pain in Children." Spine-health. Veritashealth.com, 10
Aug. 2012. Web. 19 Jan. 2017.
<http://www.spine-health.com/wellness/ergonomics/backpacks-and-back-pain-children>.
WISH Staff. "Study: Kids Carrying Heavy Backpacks Can Cause Back Problems." WCBD News 2.
Nexstar Broadcasting, 15 Aug. 2016. Web. 19 Jan. 2017.
<http://counton2.com/2016/08/15/study-kids-carrying-heavy-backpacks-can-cause-back-problems/>.
Sell, Philip, Steven Longworth, and John Haynes. Prolapsed Disc — Slipped Disc. Digital image.
Spine Surgeons. Taboola, 2012. Web. 8 Jan. 2017.
<https://www.laserspineinstitute.com/back_problems/prolapsed_disc/>.
Kenny, Tim. "Lower Back Pain in Adults, Back Pain Causes, Lower Back Pain Exercises."
Patient. Taboola, 7 Dec. 2016. Web. 16 Jan. 2017.
<http://patient.info/health/nonspecific-lower-back-pain-in-adults>.
Klebine, Phil. "What Does the Spinal Cord Do?" The University of Alabama at Birmingham.
UAB-SCIMS, n.d. Web. 22 Nov. 2016.
<https://www.uab.edu/medicine/sci/faqs-about-spinal-cord-injury-sci/what-does-the-spinal-cord-
do>.
Side View of Part of the Lower Spine. Digital image. Patient. Taboola, 7 Dec. 2016. Web. 8
Jan. 2017.
<http://m.patient.media/images/062.gif>.
R, McKenzie, Steven Longworth, Philip Sell, and John Haynes. "Nerve Root Pain and Some
of the Treatment Options." Nerve Root Pain and Some of the Treatment Options. Publisher
Orthopaedic Physical Therapy Products, Spinal Publications Ltd, 2012. Web. 17 Jan. 2017.
<http://www.spinesurgeons.ac.uk>.
Sell, Philip, Steven Longworth, and John Haynes. Some Common Patterns of Nerve Root
Pain in the Leg. Digital image. Spine Surgeons. Orthopaedic Physical Therapy Products,
Spinal Publications Ltd, 2012. Web. 11 Jan. 2017.
<http://www.spinesurgeons.ac.uk/>.
"Backpack Safety." KidsHealth. The Nemours Foundation, 1997-2017. Web. 19 Jan. 2017.
<http://kidshealth.org/en/parents/backpack.html>.
"How Your Back Works." How Your Back Works - Fairview Health Services. Fairview Health Services,
2016. Web. 19 Jan. 2017.
<https://www.fairview.org/HealthLibrary/Article/82320>.
Huang, MD Julian. "Potential Causes of Back Pain in Children and Teens." Spine-health.
Veritashealth.com, 10 July 2002. Web. 19 Jan. 2017. <http://www.spine-health.com/conditions/back-pain-children/potential-causes-back-pain-children-and-teens>.
IFuse Video - Sacroiliac Joint Fusion. IFuse Video - Sacroiliac Joint Fusion. SI-BONE, n.d. Web.
3 Nov. 2016.
Part, By Body. "AAOS - OrthoInfo." AAOS - OrthoInfo. American Academy of Orthopaedic
Surgeons, n.d. Web. 03 Nov. 2016.
<http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/>.
PhD, John J. Triano DC. "Backpacks and Back Pain in Children." Spine-health. Veritashealth.com, 10
Aug. 2012. Web. 19 Jan. 2017.
<http://www.spine-health.com/wellness/ergonomics/backpacks-and-back-pain-children>.
WISH Staff. "Study: Kids Carrying Heavy Backpacks Can Cause Back Problems." WCBD News 2.
Nexstar Broadcasting, 15 Aug. 2016. Web. 19 Jan. 2017.
<http://counton2.com/2016/08/15/study-kids-carrying-heavy-backpacks-can-cause-back-problems/>.
Sell, Philip, Steven Longworth, and John Haynes. Prolapsed Disc — Slipped Disc. Digital image.
Spine Surgeons. Taboola, 2012. Web. 8 Jan. 2017.
<https://www.laserspineinstitute.com/back_problems/prolapsed_disc/>.
Kenny, Tim. "Lower Back Pain in Adults, Back Pain Causes, Lower Back Pain Exercises."
Patient. Taboola, 7 Dec. 2016. Web. 16 Jan. 2017.
<http://patient.info/health/nonspecific-lower-back-pain-in-adults>.
Klebine, Phil. "What Does the Spinal Cord Do?" The University of Alabama at Birmingham.
UAB-SCIMS, n.d. Web. 22 Nov. 2016.
<https://www.uab.edu/medicine/sci/faqs-about-spinal-cord-injury-sci/what-does-the-spinal-cord-
do>.
Side View of Part of the Lower Spine. Digital image. Patient. Taboola, 7 Dec. 2016. Web. 8
Jan. 2017.
<http://m.patient.media/images/062.gif>.
R, McKenzie, Steven Longworth, Philip Sell, and John Haynes. "Nerve Root Pain and Some
of the Treatment Options." Nerve Root Pain and Some of the Treatment Options. Publisher
Orthopaedic Physical Therapy Products, Spinal Publications Ltd, 2012. Web. 17 Jan. 2017.
<http://www.spinesurgeons.ac.uk>.
Sell, Philip, Steven Longworth, and John Haynes. Some Common Patterns of Nerve Root
Pain in the Leg. Digital image. Spine Surgeons. Orthopaedic Physical Therapy Products,
Spinal Publications Ltd, 2012. Web. 11 Jan. 2017.
<http://www.spinesurgeons.ac.uk/>.