PUYALLUP, Wash., Sept. 29, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Rainier Sports & Spinal Rehab is offering specialized wellness support to help residents of Puyallup WA get ready for back to school. The wellness center is now taking appointments for free consultations on maximum backpack weight and posture issues to help area children start the school year on the right foot.
According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, around 5,000 children are sent to the emergency room each year with backpack-related injuries, and more than 14,000 children are treated for these injuries annually. Heavy backpacks can cause back and neck pain that can result in children missing class or after-school activities like sports or clubs.
“Overloaded backpacks can cause a range of health issues like strains, sprains, dislocations, and even fractures,” says Dr. Kevin Earle, Puyallup chiropractor and leading provider at Rainier Sports & Spinal Rehab. “The lower back pain that children experience from carrying heavy loads can last through adulthood.”
Typically, children’s backpacks should weigh no more than 10% of their body weight. Parents should choose backpacks that are lightweight and made of canvas or vinyl material. A child’s backpack should fit snugly against the body and include two wide and padded shoulder straps. When packing the backpack, the heaviest items should be placed as close to the back as possible, near the body.
Posture is another concern for children who are going back to school. Many students tend to slump over their desks for long periods of time, which can also cause back and neck pain. Children should always sit with their back against the chair back, feet flat on the floor, and relaxed shoulders, keeping any books or screens at eye level to avoid strain while working.
“A free chiropractic consultation can help ensure that your child is not carrying too much in their backpack or practicing poor posture that can have long-lasting effects,” says Dr. Earle. “As the holidays approach, parents should also consider a chiropractic wellness checkup to relieve stress and tension and stay healthy throughout the year.”
Rainier Sports & Spinal Rehab is currently seeing new patients in their office, located at 13613 Meridian Ave. E. If you need a chiropractor in Puyallup, you can make an appointment by calling the wellness center at (253) 455-0440.
About Rainier Sports & Spinal Rehab
Rainier Sports & Spinal Rehab is a chiropractic wellness center located in Puyallup WA, specializing in chiropractic care for sports injuries, auto accident injuries, and other chronic pain. The team aims to help clients relieve pain and achieve and maintain optimal health through gentle and non-invasive techniques such as chiropractic adjustments, massage therapy, kinesiotaping, functional training, corrective exercises, and nutritional guidance.
Contact:
Rainier Sports & Spinal Rehab
(253) 455-0440