Clinic Offered to Children to Avoid Backpack Injury

Littauer Brings Top Medical Professionals to the YMCA to Teach Back to School Safety: Avoiding Backpack Injury

GLOVERSVILLE, NY (08/29/2011)(readMedia)-- During this back to school season, Nathan Littauer Hospital is hoping parents consider the safety of their children's spine as they pack up their child's backpack. Injuries due to overstuffed backpacks are on the rise. While backpacks are practical, there are many safety tips that should be followed to ensure optimal safety. Did you know:

  • According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons nearly 30,000 Americans were treated for injuries stemming from improper backpack use in 2010. The most common complaints included joint dislocations, strains, sprains and bone fractures.
  • Approximately ½ of all American school children carry too much weight in their backpack.
  • Between 30-50% of adolescents complain of pain directly related to the use of backpacks.

Therefore, Nathan Littauer Hospital and the Fulton County YMCA are partnering to teach backpack safety. The free backpack safety clinic is designed for children and/or parents. It is a drop in event and no appointment is needed. Dr. Jian Shen an Orthopedic Surgeon at Nathan Littauer and Bill Oates a Physical Therapist also from Littauer will be on hand to teach backpack safety. They will calculate the correct amount a child should carry and teach exercises to strengthen core muscles. Each participant will bring home some safety tips and a personalized card.

Participants can also:

• Ask questions about spine health for any family member.

• Adults can weigh their handbag, backpack, briefcase, computer bag, etc.

• Ask questions about scoliosis

WHO:

Nathan Littauer Hospital and the Fulton County YMCA.
WHAT:

A FREE Back to School Backpack Safety Clinic. Drop-in, group instruction at 30 minute intervals.
WHEN: Wednesday August 31, 2011 at 04:00PM Eastern Time (US & Canada)
WHERE: 213 Harrison Street
Johnstown, New York 12095
NOTES:

This will be a very visual event! Children from the YMCA's day camp and childcare (about 150 children) will be receiving instruction from a medical team from 2:30 to 4:00. Media are welcome at that time as well. The general public are invited to attend from 4-pm. Children will be seen packing backpacks, doing exercises, receiving instruction and learning CORRECT weights for their backs.