Back Pain… Elementary?

Recent research shows low back pain in children and adolescents increases with age. There is also a correlation between low back pain in adolescence and that experienced in adulthood. For this reason, researchers evaluated the likelihood that children's elementary school environment contributed to the development of their back problems. Things studied included backpack and student weight, availability of storage facilities, appropriateness of chair and desk height, seating arrangements during frontal lessons and physical activity during recess. Researchers found shortcomings in all areas and recommended an urgent need for health promotions programs to increase awareness and reduce risks in the school environment.