Newswise — Today's students carry a heavy load. Stress to achieve and fit in can weigh as heavily on a student's mind as the books in their backpacks. Fortunately, the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) is showing students how to alleviate their pain from backpacks, while also helping them to learn, play and socialize to succeed in school.
As another school year begins AOTA is implementing a campaign called " "Pack It Light, Wear It Right" to show students the healthiest way to use a backpack. More than 40 million students wear backpacks and according to one study, 6 out of 10 students ages 9-20 reported chronic back pain related to backpacks. Musco-skeletal problems in adulthood typically begin in these formative years of childhood. Tips for students include:
"¢ Backpack weight should be no more than 15 percent of a student's total body weight; "¢ Backpack straps should be worn over both shoulders for an evenly balanced load;"¢ Load heavier items in the backpack closest to the student's back.
AOTA is also offering students strategies for success in school that include tips on organization, making friends, proper computer positioning and handwriting. For a copy of '" Occupational Therapy Tips for Health and Success In School," point your web browser to - http://www.promoteot.org/documents/OTTipsHealthSuccess_003.pdf
"Taking these simple steps can lighten a student's load both literally and figuratively," said Dr. M. Carolyn Baum Ph.D., AOTA President. "One of the central tenets of occupational therapy is that participation in daily activities is crucial to maintaining good physical and mental health. By enabling students to correctly perform their daily activity of carrying a backpack and manage stress, we can help them stay safe, healthy and happy while succeeding in school."
Teaching proper backpack ergonomics is just one of the many ways occupational therapy practitioners help students succeed in school and life. Occupational therapists also have expertise in correcting behavoir problems, helping children learn social skills, and teaching students effective and efficient ways to learn in school.
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