Backpacks have become a common fact of life for students, but that fact might be leading them to long-term back pain if they're not mindful of how much they cram in at the beginning and end of the day.
Getting the right backpack  or book bag  can be important for a child's social interactions. Children are drawn to bags with their favorite superheroes or movie and video game characters, while others are more inclined to check out name-brand bags. But Lawton chiropractor Trey Chambers of Toy Chiropractic said parents need to be more concerned about the type they buy for their children, and what is put in them.
"They need to have a backpack that has thick padded shoulder straps, so it doesn't hurt their shoulders too much," he said. "Parents also need to look at how weight is distributed. You don't want a backpack that falls below two inches above the waist. Having one with a waist strap is also quite helpful."
As children get older and school books become thicker, heavier and more plentiful. They often cram them all in their packs each morning before they rush out the door and each afternoon before school lets out. Walking for any length of time with a substantial amount of weight can be detrimental to both short-term and long-term health. Chambers said children might be facing severe back issues well into adulthood.

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