Beware the backpack. If it doesn’t fit right or if it’s just too heavy, it can cause a lifetime of pain.

According to Paula Kramer, chair of the occupational therapy department at the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia, “If too heavy or worn incorrectly, backpacks can strain muscles and joints and cause serious back pain.”

She offers the following guidelines on how to choose the right backpack for your child.

* The backpack size should correlate with the child’s size and age — smaller, younger children should have smaller backpacks. Look for reflective material on the backpack to improve visibility and padded shoulder straps for added comfort.
* Consider buying a backpack that can be wheeled or a triangular sling-style bag, which is worn over one shoulder and across the body, which better balances the load.
* When loading the backpack, put heaviest items closest to the back. This helps distribute weight more evenly. When loaded, the backpack should weigh less than 10 to 15 percent of the child’s body weight.
* Adjust shoulder straps so the backpack fits snugly against the back. The child should always use both should straps and clip the waist belt, if the backpack has one, for added support and even weight distribution.

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission says backpack-related injuries resulted in 7,300 emergency room visits in 2006.

(via HealthDay)