Are backpacks bad for the spine?

Slinging a backpack over one shoulder can cause a person to lean to one side to compensate for the uneven weight. This can curve the spine. Over time, this can cause lower and upper back pain, strained shoulders and neck, and even functional scoliosis (curvature of the spine).



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But wearing a backpack incorrectly, or carrying one that's too heavy, can have harmful effects on the spine. Incorrect backpack use is associated with back pain, neck pain, bad posture, and intervertebral disk compression, possibly leading to a herniated disk.

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Slinging a backpack over one shoulder can cause a person to lean to one side to compensate for the uneven weight. This can curve the spine. Over time, this can cause lower and upper back pain, strained shoulders and neck, and even functional scoliosis (curvature of the spine).

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These heavy loads place stress on the spine and shoulders of children, causing muscle strain and fatigue. For some kids the aches and pains are bad enough to seek medical attention. Too much weight can also lead to bad habits such as poor posture and excessive slouching.

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Pain caused from excessive loads has gained the term “backpack syndrome.” Backpack syndrome causes headaches, neck and back pain, and fatigue. There have been studies examining the effects of carrying backpacks on one shoulder versus both shoulders. Carrying a bag on one shoulder causes significant asymmetries.

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You might develop lower and upper back pain and strain your shoulders and neck. Tight, narrow straps that dig into your shoulders can cause tingling, numbness, and weakness in your arms and hands.

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Although backpacks do not cause scoliosis, carrying heavy items can cause other forms of spinal problems. This is usually the case if the backpack is very heavy and the straps are too loose, or when the child leans forward to compensate for the extra weight; thereby causing a misalignment of the spine.

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According to a recent estimate, 96 percent of children in school are carrying way too much on their backs. In fact, 5,000 children every year go to the emergency department for backpack injuries. And, more than 14,000 children are treated yearly for related problems.

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Repetitive movements like bending or lifting, as well as carrying unbalanced loads like a heavy backpack or shoulder bag, can also increase your risk for developing a herniated disc.

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Best are bags that are fairly flat and of soft, lightweight material that molds to the body—buttery leather is great, but so is nylon, Medina says. Beware of stiff leather (It doesn't feel friendly); chunky hardware; big studs, stones, or other doodads that keep you and your bag apart.

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Here are some quick tips to correctly position and carry the load of a backpack. Adjust the shoulder straps so that the backpack is high on the back and the shoulder straps are comfortable on the shoulders, as shown below: The backpack should not sway from side to side during walking.

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• Wear your backpack properly Make sure you wear and tighten both straps so you distribute the weight evenly. If your backpack comes with waist belts, use them. This feature can help support some of the weight lower down. This can help reduce your neck and back pain.

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Back pain from carrying backpacks can be avoided with the following solutions:
  1. • Check your posture. Carrying a backpack, especially a heavy one can change your spinal alignment. ...
  2. • Lessen the load. ...
  3. • Wear your backpack properly. ...
  4. • Consider backpacks with padded shoulder straps. ...
  5. • See a specialist.


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BackTpack is a balanced bag for scoliosis treatment and general back health for all ages. BackTpack is available to anyone anywhere through our online store. We recommend our most recent model, the BackTpack 3.1 Small, for adolescents with scoliosis. It is available in magenta and in black.

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By putting a heavy weight on your shoulders in the wrong way, the weight's force can pull you backward. So people who carry heavy backpacks sometimes lean forward. Because of the heavy weight and this unnatural position, they can develop shoulder, neck, and back pain.

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Using a heavy bag actually causes children to have back problems, such as spinal misalignments, because it pulls bones, ligaments, and muscles downward. The misalignments can cause pain, fatigue, and other side effects. They can cause long-term pain and side effects if not addressed properly.

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The condition was first described in 1969 in Vietnam soldiers. 8 The brachial plexus is injured by the weight of the backpack due to direct compression or stretch of the nerve tissue leading to demyelination, with or without axonal injury.

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