According to the American Chiropractic Association, the number one disabler of people 45 years and younger in the United States is lower back pain. Carrying around too many pounds of stuff in your bags can contribute to this back pain epidemic. So how do you avoid injuring yourself if you need to carry a backpack around on a daily basis?
The best thing to do is pick a smaller bag. You are more likely to carry around unnecessary stuff just because you have more room in a bigger bag. Carry a bag that is just big enough to carry around your essentials, and leave the rest at home.
Pulling extra weight on one side of your body is one of the biggest contributors to back pain because it causes your spine to curve. To avoid this, aim to keep the weigh balanced either by keeping both straps of a backpack firmly on your shoulders, or by wearing backpacks with only one strap diagonally across your body.
If possible, pull your backpack on wheels instead. This eliminates your risk for back pain symptoms all together.
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