Issue Based Article Submission

Pain in the Back
Physicians frown on fashionable gigantic gym bags. By: Abigail Jesion


Jessica weighs 125 lbs, and her cute, stylish, lululemon school bag is 35 lbs. She has three textbooks, a binder, her lunch and supper, school supplies and some personal items. She is walking from the station to school and is slightly bent over on one side, trying to manage her large load, coffee, and a cell phone. Can you relate to this?

Lululemon and Puma bags are all the rage for a choice of school bag. Have you given thought to the fact that these oversized bags can be detrimental to your body? Are you wearing your backpack properly? Are you carrying too many textbooks in your bag? It's become an all-too-common sight: students bent over from the weight of giant backpacks filled with heavy books, binders, folders, laptops, iPods, food and other assorted personal bits and pieces. Here is some information about the risks associated with heavy backpacks — and how to avoid them.

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, there were more than 21,000 backpack-related injuries treated at hospital emergency rooms, clinics, and doctors’ offices in 2003. Shockingly, 55 percent of students carry backpack loads weighing more than 15 percent of their body weight, and one-third of those students said they have back pain. Most of the students surveyed are carrying backpacks weighing more than 20 percent of their body weight. Doctors say that your backpacks shouldn't weigh more than 10 percent of you body weight. Take your bag and weight it on a scale if you have to.

This issue is a bit controversial, as there's no proof that backpacks specifically cause back problems. However, the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons and the American Physical Therapy Association have set various guidelines that should be followed with backpacks to reduce the potential risks associated with them.

A heavy backpack might also contribute to students experiencing posture problems due to leaning too far forward, rolling their shoulders and causing a more rounded upper-back. They are forced to tilt their head up to see properly, which strains the back and neck muscles and can cause nerve damage in the neck. Carrying a heavy backpack can be a source of chronic, low-level trauma.

Students might also lean backwards from the weight, which can modify the bend of the back and cause stress fractures in the spine. If they wear their bag on only one shoulder, they might walk tilted to one side and experience neck pain. In addition, if the straps on the bag are too thin, they can dig into the neck and shoulder muscles and potentially cause nerve damage in that area. This is especially relevant to the large growth of gym bags as a preferred choice to students. They are putting all the weight on one side of their bodies, causing a lot of stress and trauma for them on a constant basis.

One problem seen in nearly 6 percent of students complaining of back pain is spondylolysis, which is a stress fracture in the back that can be treated with anti-inflammatory medications. One could also experience apophysitis, which is an inflammation of growth cartilage, often found in the heel. It is commonly treated with plenty of rest, a brace, and stretching exercises. A backpack load that is too heavy also causes muscles and soft tissues to work harder. This may then lead to extreme strain and fatigue leaving the neck, shoulders, and back more susceptible towards injuries.

Always be aware of the warning signs of an overweight bag. A key sign is if you notice yourself complaining of back pain. There is something wrong if your posture changes ie. leaning forward, backwards, or to the side once you have your backpack on. In addition, excessive redness on pressure points such as shoulders means the bag is too heavy.

If these problems are caught early enough then back pain can be reduced or eliminated. Carrying heavy loads can cause serious problems down the road if it’s not corrected early. Be sure to be aware of how much your bag constantly weighs.

The first thing one should do is purchase the right kind of backpack. It should have padded shoulder straps, as it will distribute the weight of the bag evenly over your shoulders. Also, a bag that comes with a waist belt will help distribute the weight throughout your hips. Shoulder straps should be adjusted so the bag rests at the middle of your back. If the straps are too tight, it will be difficult to get the bag off; if it is too loose, it will cause you to lean back too far. A bag with a padded back can also be beneficial in removing some of the pressure. As a possibility, one should look into a bag with wheels that you can roll around.

You should always wear both straps and compartmentalize your belongings so that all the weight in the bag isn't in one place. Gym bags do not offer this type of support because they are lacking in dual straps. In addition, you should sort through your bag every night, choosing only what you need, so that you don’t have to carry extra baggage. It is recommend taking multiple trips to your locker rather than carrying six books around all day. If you must carry a lot of books, keep some in your arms to balance out that uneven weight.

It’s understood that these suggested bags are not necessarily fashionable or trendy. Shop around and try to find a nice backpack. If you can’t find one, decorate one! Or just downsize on the amount of contents that enter your bag. You don’t really need ten pens or pencils and five lip glosses in your bag. Rent a locker and drop off your belongings throughout the day.

Fashion need not clash with one’s health, or come at the expense of it. Plan ahead, and realize the dangers. It is your prerogative to safeguard your wellbeing. Will you?