You are invited to submit a nomination for Pediatric Chiropractor of the Year 2023! We invite you to reflect and consider those leaders who are making a significant contribution to the field of pediatrics in leadership, research, and/or service to the profession. Nomination deadline is October 3, 2023.

Nominees do not need to be Council members, however, Council membership will be a factor in deliberations to choose a winner. Send questions or concernt to acaccpsecretary@gmail.com.

The award winner will be announced on 10/28/2023 during the ACA CCP Annual Symposium in Bloomington, Minnesota. Watch upcoming ACA CCP newsletter and emails for event details.

ACA Pediatrics Council Speaker’s Bureau

The Speaker's Bureau is designed to bring together speakers on a variety of topics in pediatrics to recommend as presenters to state associations, LearnACA webinars, and future ACA Pediatrics Council Conferences and Seminars. Interested parties are encouraged to apply, applications may be submitted to Dr. Mary Beth Minser, drminser@minserchiropracticclinic.com

As summer vacation comes to a close and the start of the school year nears, many families are adding backpacks to their back-to-school shopping lists. But what should one look for when buying a backpack? It might have your child's favorite character on it, but will it protect them from the early onset of back pain?

Back pain is pervasive among American adults, but they are not alone: Young children are suffering from back pain much earlier than previous generations, and the use of overweight backpacks is a contributing factor for some, according to the American Chiropractic Association (ACA).

“In my own practice, I have noticed an increase in the number of young children who are complaining about back, neck and shoulder pain,” said ACA member Dr. Scott Bautch, who practices in Wausau, Wis., and is president of ACA’s Council on Occupational Health. “The first question I ask these patients is, ‘Do you carry a backpack to school?’ Almost always the answer is ‘yes.’”

This back pain trend among young people isn’t surprising when you consider the disproportionate amounts of weight they carry in their backpacks—often slung over just one shoulder. Surveys show children today carry everything from books, laptops and school supplies to sports uniforms, shoes and water bottles in their backpacks at any given time.

One study examining the impact of backpacks on children found that over 70% of children surveyed had a backpack that exceeded the recommended 10% of their body weight. Of these children, 32% complained of back pain.

Another study on backpack weight and schoolchildren’s posture showed that head and spinal posture were affected by backpack weight, with heavier backpacks causing a child’s head and spine to bend farther forward.

What Can You Do?

Dr. Bautch suggests using an ergonomically designed backpack. He offers parents the following tips on choosing the right backpack for their child and wearing it properly:

• Make sure your child’s backpack, when packed, weighs no more than 10 percent of their body weight. A heavier backpack will cause your child to bend forward to support the weight on the back, rather than the shoulders.
• The backpack should never hang more than four inches below the waistline. A backpack that hangs too low increases the weight on the shoulders, causing your child to lean forward when walking.
• A backpack with individualized compartments helps in positioning the contents most effectively. Make sure that pointy or bulky objects are packed away from the area that will rest on your child’s back.
• Bigger is not necessarily better. The more room there is in a backpack, the more your child will carry and the heavier the backpack will be.
• Urge your child to wear both shoulder straps. Lugging the backpack around by one strap can cause the disproportionate shift of weight to one side, leading to neck and muscle spasms, as well as low back pain.
• Wide, padded straps are very important. Non-padded straps are uncomfortable and can dig into your child’s shoulders.
• The shoulder straps should be adjustable so the backpack can fit to your child’s body. Straps that are too loose can cause the backpack to dangle, causing spinal misalignment and pain.
• If the backpack is still too heavy, talk to your child’s teacher. Ask if your child could leave the heaviest books or items at school and bring home only lighter hand-out materials or workbooks.
• Roller packs—or backpacks on wheels—should be used cautiously and on a limited basis by only those students who are not physically able to carry a backpack. They present their own risks if they clutter hallways, potentially resulting in dangerous trips and falls.

Chiropractic Care Can Help

If you or your child experiences any pain or discomfort resulting from backpack use, call your chiropractor. Doctors of chiropractic are licensed and trained to diagnose and treat patients of all ages. In addition, chiropractors can recommend ­­exercises designed to help children develop strong muscles, along with instruction in good nutrition, posture and sleeping habits.

More Resources from ACA

Want to learn more about backpack safety? Check out ACA's Choosing the Right Backpack page on Hands Down Better for information about backpacks endorsed by ACA, media mentions and more.

References

1. Chen Y-L, Mu Y-C. Effects of backpack load and position on body strains in male schoolchildren while walking. PLoS ONE. 2018;13(3): e0193648. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0193648

2. Perrone M, Orr R, Hing W, Milne N, Pope R. The impact of backpack loads on school children: A critical narrative review. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2018;15(11):2529. Published 2018 Nov 12. doi:10.3390/ijerph15112529

Brought to you by the American Chiropractic Association (ACA) and reviewed by the ACA Editorial Advisory Board. This information is for educational purposes. It is not a replacement for treatment or consultation with a healthcare professional. If you have specific questions, contact your doctor of chiropractic.

As part of this community, we want to connect with you, learn more about who you are, and know who we can refer patients to. We are looking for members of the ACA Pediatrics Council to feature on our website and social media pages.

Would you like to be featured as our member of the month? Member Minute consists of a one minute video of you answering your favorite questions below an introducing yourself. Please take a few minutes to answer these questions, and email your responses with a video to us.

Application for Member Minute

• Full name:
• Company Name:
• Website:
• Pick one or more of the following questions to answer:
  
• Why did you become a chiropractor?
• What motivates you to serve your community?
• Do you have an area of expertise?
• What is your favorite thing about being part of the pediatrics council?
• Who do you love providing care for, who can we send your way?
• What 3 words would you use to describe the ACA pediatrics council?
• How has being involved with the ACA helped your career?
• What is your favorite pediatric chiropractic memory or case?
• What advice do you have for doctors considering joining the ACA pediatrics council?
• Share one thing you do for fun.

Please send an email to our membership chair, Dr. Jo Nell Shaw at acaccpmembership@gmail.com, include a headshot/photo you’d like used with your answers, a video answering any of the above questions, and links to your business’ social media profiles.