Protect your children’s health: 5 key back-to-school tips

From a very young age, until they finish school, our children carry a lot of weight in their backpacks and spend long hours sitting down. Osteopath Dr. Joe Arrindell, head of the Care4Health clinic, provides us with some simple but essential tips on protecting our children’s health during the term. In addition, we can resort to the help of some ergonomic accessories, as Eduardo Otero, owner of A4Papelería, specialised in office material and furniture, explains.
Summer is over, and this week, it’s back to school for our children. What most of them have in common are two things: they carry a lot of weight to and from school every day and spend long hours sitting in front of books or screens, both in the classroom and at home. They often have postural problems that can affect their long-term physical health.

Backaches in students: a growing problem

According to recent studies in Spain, 51% of boys and 69% of girls under 15 have experienced back pain at some time. On the other hand, 21% of boys and 30,7% of girls have back aches that limit their daily activities . These figures are alarming, stresses osteopath Dr. Joe Arrindell. “These kids are too young to be in pain. If you are in pain at the age of 7, you will be in pain forever”.
To avoid this, the practitioner has some simple but effective tips on how to avoid straining your back.

Heavy backpacks

Many children carry backpacks full of books and notebooks every day, which add up to considerable weight. “Regardless of the weight, the important thing is to distribute it evenly”,” explains the head of the Care4Health clinic. It is better to avoid carrying a bag or briefcase in one hand or over one shoulder. It is always advisable to carry a backpack with both shoulder straps over both shoulders. You should also consider how you load the backpack: “Heavy items should be carried as close to the body as possible. That means heavy books should go closest to the back. Otherwise, the weight makes the kid lean backwards, which puts more strain on the spine,” warns the osteopath. “Backpacks with wide, padded straps are the most popular among schoolchildren”, confirms Eduardo Otero, owner of A4Papelería.

On the back or wheels?

Fashions change, and one of them is backpacks on wheels. Considering the considerable weight children and young students carry, they could be a good solution. However, these backpacks on wheels make the child’s body tilt to the same side, leading to swelling, tension and pain. The health expert has good advice: “If the kid is carrying a backpack on wheels, we should train them to change their hand every morning. One day, they take it with the right hand, and the next day, on the left. That way, we avoid always carrying on the same side.

Homework, not on the sofa

“Make sure that the kids have a study area. They must have a desk to do their homework, even at the dining room table. The most important thing is that they can sit properly and that the chair and table are adjusted to their height to avoid bad posture“, says the osteopath. The feet should be flat on the floor, and the back should be straight. “No couching!” It is always preferable for the child to sit on a chair, even a dining room chair, taking the utmost care with posture.

Active breaks

Changing position occasionally is also essential to avoid accumulated tensions and improve circulation. “Every 45 minutes, children and adults should take a break for 5 to 10 minutes, move around, stretch their legs, do some squats or any other different movement”, recommends the expert.

Breathing is essential

“You have to breathe well to be able to move well. We take it for granted that children know how to breathe, but they don’t. You have to teach them,” says Dr. Arrindell. He adds, “Parents have a responsibility to teach their kids how to do things right.” The osteopath, who is also the father of two, knows how difficult it is to teach children how to do things right: “Repeat, repeat, repeat. It is tiring for parents. But parents as well as children and young people should know: if you try hard, you will get results.” The result, in this case, is not suffering from back pain and leading a healthy life.
He also recommends being alert and not ignoring initial back or neck pain, which can lead to chronic problems. “There are cases where I’m surprised how parents could let things get so far. If a child complains of persistent pain, it is best to take him or her to a specialist right away,” the osteopath recommends.

Ergonomic gadgets make life easier

In addition to encouraging good postural habits and limiting the weight of backpacks, many ergonomic devices can greatly help improve students’ posture and comfort, both at home and at school. These products not only contribute to the prevention of back pain but also help create a healthier study environment. Eduardo Otero, owner of A4Papelería, specialising in office equipment and furniture, says: “More and more parents are interested in ergonomic products for their children. A good adjustable desk chair is essential for students to keep their backs straight and their feet flat on the floor. We also recommend ergonomic cushions that promote correct posture when sitting for several hours”. These cushions usually consist of visco-elastic foam, which helps to distribute the weight and avoid uncomfortable pressure points. Also, a footrest can be vital to ensure that students maintain a correct sitting posture, especially if the table is a little high. Other items, such as ergonomic mice and gel mouse pads, are designed to prevent wrist strain and carpal tunnel syndrome. Otero also suggests: “Adjustable armrests are an excellent option for those who use the computer a lot, as they allow you to keep your elbows at the right height, avoiding unnecessary strain”. One of our primary goals is promoting children’s and young people’s health and helping them avoid pain. For this reason, Dylsi, an exclusive AXA insurance agency, collaborates with professionals such as osteopath Dr. Joe Arrindell from Care4Health and Eduardo Otero from A4Papelería, both focused on promoting the prevention of postural problems. If you have any questions about health insurance, don’t hesitate to call Darryl on +34 680 82 68 03 or email [email protected]. We are here to help you. We’re here to help.

This article has been written in collaboration with Dr. Joe Arrindell, owner of Care4Health, and Eduardo Otero, owner of A4Papelería.

How to contact Dr. Joe Arrindell:

Web: www.carefourhealth.com Phone: (0034) 635 870 606 E-mail: [email protected] Socials: Facebook InstagramLanguages:

 

How to contact Eduardo Otero:

Web: www.a4papeleria.es/ Phone: (0034) 871 93 40 28 E-mail: [email protected] Socials: Facebook InstagramLanguages: