Restart the school year. Some tips to avoid mistakes that can result in back pain and pain in the boys
of VALERIA PINES
The bell is about to ring and after a long summer break back to school. For children here again the problem of heavy backpacks and sedentary days, between banks and afternoon study. Better to start school activity following any advice for protecting public health. First, the weight of the backpack should not exceed 10% of that body. This means that for a child of 6-8 years can not be more than three kilograms. It should also be worn on both shoulders, so as to balance the weight. The purchase of the folder. At the time of purchase is important to choose a lightweight fabric, so that there is no Another additional weight compared to that of the books. The best thing is still the trolley. “The forward position of the neck, typical of those who support a weight on your back, promotes muscle contractures. A backpack is too heavy, brought along by those who do not yet have a good muscular development, can be a risk factor for migraine back – says Professor Paul Cherubino president of the Italian Society of Orthopaedics and Traumatology (Siot) – But we must admit that there is a correlation between backpack and scoliosis or kyphosis. Moreover it can have an effect on breathing, it can cause excessive weight affects the fatigue of the respiratory muscles. “
INTERACTIVE How to choose and wear the backpack
Into “It is said, in fact – as Professor Guido La Rosa, head of operations of Orthopaedics of the Infant Jesus of Rome – a backpack that is too heavy is the prime suspect in the development of scoliosis, which affects about seven babies thousand every year, yet it is a significant factor, because everyday carry too much weight can lead to develop, if not this disease of the vertebrae, incorrect posture that must be cared for. “
The school , however, can do something to make lighter backpacks boys and preserve their backs: if you really can not do as in the Netherlands, where an experimental seven schools have replaced the 10-12 pound backpack full of books with a thin and light tablet, you could adopt a compromise solution, providing the boys of the texts online during teaching.
CARTOON goes back to school
More cases of low back pain. According to the Italian Association of Physiotherapists (Aifi), five out of ten children 6 and 10 years suffer from low back pain. The number of students in elementary school that has pain in the lower back, is equal to twice that of their parents when they were the same age. On the occasion of the reopening of schools and in conjunction with the week of physiotherapy, which begins today and ends on 8 September 14, Aifi publishes “goes back to school: the first rules to respect it.” The brochure, with simplified texts and comics, contains practical advice for students.
“Avoid studying on the bed or on the couch.” The boys return on the desks in schools, but also to study the afternoon at home. And here are tips to follow. The desk, recalls the Aifi, must be proportional to the height and the child must that we can support your forearms with your shoulders relaxed. “The w orst position is bent forward. At the sitting should maintain the normal curvature of the back. Specifically, the sacred must be leaning back and lumbar lordosis well maintained – adds Cherub – the head misaligned neck and your feet should be well on the floor. E ‘wrong also studying on the bed or on the couch because you are likely to awkward positions. “If you use the computer. The posture is also important when you are working on your computer or tablet or read a text about the book. “Better to avoid running them on the legs: it is advisable to place them on a table, using the available media, keeping the head aligned with the shoulders and spine as close as possible to the chair – says Marco Monticone responsible OU of Neuromotor Rehabilitation IRCCS Maugeri Foundation in Lisson – In fact, a position of hyperflexion of the spine maintained for a long time may cause pain to load in the neck, shoulders and back, as well as encouraging the appearance of curved back. Another useful tip is to vary your position each half an hour, taking breaks to stretch the column, especially for those who already suffer from neck pain or low back pain. “
lighting. must not be overlooked, finally, the lighting in the boys’ rooms. “At home and at school desk must have illumination coming from a double source, or opposite: an adjustable artificial and natural. The degree of brightness should then be measured at desk height, 85 inches from the ground – recalls Salvatore Tringali, medical director of the Unit of Occupational Medicine Hospital IRCCS Maugeri Foundation in Pavia – Even at home the plan of study must take into account the height of the student-student, as well as the seat that must be adjustable in height and backrest tilt between 95 ° and 110 ° to ensure the upright posture of the back and an adequate support of the upper limbs. “
physical activity. A real cure is obviously physical activity, which helps to prevent and treat these disorders and should be practiced by winning laziness, one of the characteristics that children and adolescents Italians seem to have more. Experts AIFI remember to avoid forcing the children to stay
too much sitting during the day. “Sport should be recommended for all children to look exclusively playful – concludes Cherub – In my opinion the child should not be directed to a particular sport, but his wishes should be followed at least at the beginning. The only goal is to amuse him and to develop his motor skills together with his peers. Any sport is good for these purposes. “- Tags
- heavy backpacks,
- back,
- scoliosis,
- lighting,
- posture,
- sports,
- low back pain
High values ??of body mass index are related to low levels of DNA methylation of newborns, up to three years. The impact on the health of the child of this “maternal impression” has yet to be clarified (© Sasha Gulish / Corbis) have thus observed that methylation of cord blood was significantly correlated with methylation levels in children of three years. This supports the hypothesis that changes in DNA methylation that occur in the early stages of development have a long lasting impact. 
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