Back pain and neck pain, once considered an issue of the elderly, are now increasingly appearing in school-age children. This situation worries health experts, because the spine of children is still in the development stage and is very sensitive to the impacts from the living environment and daily activities.
According to Dr. Arun Bhanot, Director of Spinal Surgery Department at CK Birla Hospital (Gurugram, India), too heavy a backpack is one of the most common causes of spinal pain in children. When children carry a backpack weighing more than 10-15% of their body weight, the center of gravity will be changed, forcing the spine to adjust to balance. This change can lead to scoliosis, shoulder, neck and back muscle tension.
Studies published in PubMed Central and ResearchGate also show that the rate of back and neck pain in school-age children is increasing significantly, especially in countries with high learning intensity. The excess load from the backpack causes continuous pressure on the musculoskeletal system, while the back and abdominal muscles of children are not healthy enough to support.
Not only backpacks, study seating and using electronic devices also play an important role. Children today spend many hours each day learning online, doing homework or entertaining themselves on tablets and phones. Bowing heads forward for a long time increases pressure on the cervical spine and upper back, causing muscle fatigue and pain.
According to Dr. Bhanot, incorrect sitting posture combined with carrying heavy bags increases the risk of muscle imbalance, causing spinal support muscle groups to operate unevenly. Gradually, this condition can lead to posture disorders, even spinal diseases that have only been seen in adults.
Parents need to pay early attention to warning signs such as children frequently complaining of back pain, neck pain, shoulder fatigue, backstroke, or uncomfortable sitting and studying. Ignoring the initial symptoms can make the condition become chronic and more difficult to treat.
To prevent it, experts recommend that parents should control the weight of their children's backpacks, only keep items that are really necessary and ensure that children wear backpacks properly, and evenly distribute the weight on both shoulders. In addition, it is necessary to remind children to take regular breaks when studying or using screens, and limit the time of using electronic devices for entertainment purposes.
In addition, encouraging children to participate in physical activities suitable for their age will help strengthen back and abdominal muscles, thereby better supporting the spine. Forming proper living habits early on plays an important role in protecting long-term spinal health for children.
