Parent Teacher Magazine Union County Public Schools Sept/Oct 2017 | Page 20

“Take the Load Off Sally” by guest contributor Dr. Lisa A. Merritt
Back Pack Safety...
School‘s started and your children
load. Put the heavier items on the bottom.
are lifting heavy bookbags and sitting at
Tighten the straps so the back pack sits
their classroom desk five days a week. If
higher on the upper back. Try to not bend
they aren’t aware of proper posture and
at your waist nor let your head go forward
lifting habits they can be damaging their
of your shoulders. A good rule of thumb
spines. When you see the grimace on their
is to imagine helium balloons pulling your
face or hear them
head and body up as you
complain that their
hold your core tummy
The US Consumer Product Safety
back is hurting don’t
Commission stated that 6,512 children muscles in. That allows
delay showing these
the center of gravity go
were treated with injuries related to
corrective methods to
through your spine to
their backpack. 54% of these children
them. Incorrect posture were from the ages 5-14.
carry the load.
can lead to poor school
Lifting the backpack
and sports performance
and putting it on is
and secondary issues such as headaches,
another way that can hurt your spine. Lift
back pain, numbness and tingling in the arms
the backpack with your knees and core.
or legs, poor sleep and possibly a weakened
Putting all the items in the bag at a table
immune system. As a matter of fact, all of
top or counter height verses the floor
us who carry heavy items will eventually
allows you to have better leverage and
cause muscle spasms, compressed joints and
less twist. A bend and a twist have been
pinched nerves.
common ways patients have told us how
The US Consumer Product Safety
they hurt themselves.
Commission stated that 6,512 children were
At Weddington Chiropractic Wellness
treated with injuries related to their backpack. Center at Blakeney we evaluate and treat
54% of these children were from the ages
children and adults. Along with injuries
5-14. Stress to the spinal column of a growing from heavy backpacks, we also see many
child can be avoided if proper measures are
students who are sitting long periods of
taken. A child weighing 60 -100 lbs. should
times at their desk or studying for exams
not carry a backpack weighing more than
with incorrect posture. Our treatments
10-15 lbs. No adult should carry a backpack
are safe and effective. As a mother of
heavier than 25 pounds. Imagine carrying
six children, I have brought relief and
a 12 lb. backpack and lifting it 10x per day.
correction for my own children, too. Please
That equals 120 lbs. per day and then 21,600
allow my associate, Dr. Sara Butkovich,
lbs. in a school year. That is about 11 tons
and I examine your child (children) for
and or about 6 full size cars!
prevention and potential back injury. For
Along with the backpack weight, it is best
further questions, please call our office and
to never carry it on one shoulder. An even
we will be happy to help.
distribution will allow the spine to carry the
Please join us for...
TASTE OF WELLNESS
SEPTEMBER 28th & OCTOBER 26th
Drop in anytime between 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. and sample our services for FREE!
• Chiropractic Care • Acupuncture with Essential Oils • Massage Therapy
• Cold Laser Pain Therapy • Functional Medicine
Wine & Light Refreshments Served
Enter to Win a FREE 1 Hour Therapeutic Massage!
Dr. Lisa Merritt and Dr. Sara
Butkovich of the Weddington
Chiropractic Wellness Center
at Blakeney.
18 • Sept/Oct 2017 • Parent Teacher Magazine 
Weddington Chiropractic Wellness Center at Blakeney
8832 Blakeney Prof. Dr., Suite 100 • Charlotte, NC 28277 • 704-817-7618 •
weddingtonwellness.com