Backpacks are still one of the best ways to bear a burden. In the hierarchy of bags, a backpack is a better way to carry life's necessities than a briefcase or shoulder bag, especially for longer periods of time. Properly worn, a backpack is supported by the strongest muscles in the body: the back and abdominal muscles, which work together to stabilize the trunk and hold our body in proper postural alignment.

Wear both straps. Slinging a backpack over one shoulder causes a person to lean to one side to compensate for the uneven weight, thus curving the spine. Over time, this can cause lower and upper back pain, strained shoulders and neck, and even functional scoliosis, or curvature of the spine. Teenage girls are especially susceptible to scoliosis.

A too-heavy or improperly worn backpack may harm joints and muscles, especially young ones. Students of all ages seem to be carrying heavier loads, often toting a full day's worth of textbooks and a change of clothing for after-school athletics or extracurricular activities. Laptop computers are also common features in the college student's backpack. Even when worn properly with both straps, leaning forward to compensate for this extra weight can affect the natural curve in the lumbar, or lower back, region.

Extra weight may cause a rounding of the shoulders and an increased curve in the thoracic, or upper back region. As a result, the student may experience back, shoulder, and neck pain.

Look for backpacks with wide straps. Narrow straps can dig into shoulders, causing pain as they press on nerves close to the surface in the clavicle, or collarbone region. Narrow straps can also hinder circulation, causing numbness or tingling in the arms, which may cause weakness in the hands over time. Students and parents should also look for a backpack with a waist belt. Tightening the belt helps distribute the weight of the backpack more evenly. Even though the latest backpacks with one strap that runs across the body may be fashionable, they are not as functional because one shoulder continually bears the entire weight of the bag. It is also wise to consider the weight of the backpack when it is empty. For example, a canvas backpack will be lighter in weight than leather.

Making frequent stops at lockers throughout the day to avoid carrying too many books at once, and leaving nonessentials at home, will lessen the weight of a backpack.

Students should tell their parents if they are in pain or have discomfort before a problem becomes serious.

The preceeding information is from the American Physical Therapy Association