Free Backpack Fitting Night!

As practical as backpacks are, they can lead to injuries if they’re too heavy or fitted incorrectly.

Our physical therapists would like to help you take the guesswork out of fitting your child to their backpack. Please join us with your children (and their backpack) for our complimentary backpack fitting night.

Date: Thursday, August 28th

Time: 5:00pm – 7:00pm

Location: Therapeutic Associates Physical Therapy - Camas (map)

Cost: FREE and open to the community

No RSVP Required

- Education on proper fit and backpack use

- Adjustments to current backpack fit

- Back-to-school goodie bag

Tips When Purchasing a Safe Backpack

Although most backpacks are safe if used correctly, there are a few things to look for when purchasing a new backpack.

A lightweight pack - canvas pack tends to be lighter than say leather and helps reduce the load placed on your child’s frame.

Wide padded shoulder straps - these cushion your child’s shoulders and distributes weight more evenly.

A padded back - protects your child from sharp objects (pens, pencils, rulers) in the pack and increases comfort.

A waist belt - reduces excess movement and helps to keep weight evenly distributed.

Multiple compartments - allow weight to be more evenly distributed.

Tips for Parents

- Encourage your child to tell you about numbness, tingling, or discomfort in the arms or legs which may indicate poor fit or too much weight being carried.

- Watch your child put on or take off the backpack to see if it is a struggle.

- Do not ignore any back pain in a child or teenager.

- Be sure the school allows students to stop at their lockers throughout the day to drop off or exchange heavier books.