Health Tip: Beating Backpack Pain

(HealthDay News) -- Backpacks can cause back pain and injury if they are too heavy or don''t offer enough support.

Keep these guidelines in mind when choosing and wearing a backpack, courtesy of the National Safety Council:

• Always wear both straps, so that the weight is distributed across both shoulders and evenly across the back.
• A backpack should always be centered across the middle of the back.
• Try not to overload the backpack. Keep it from getting too heavy.
• Place the heaviest items closest to the back.
• When lifting the backpack, bend at the knees and lift with your legs.

-- Diana Kohnle

Last Updated: Aug. 13, 2008

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