Released on = August 22, 2007, 6:00 pm

Press Release Author = Anthony Carey, M.A., CSCS, CES

Industry = Healthcare

Press Release Summary = As children head back to school, they may be expanding their
minds but there is a good chance they're also damaging their bodies. Back pain,
historically an adult affliction, is now becoming common among school-aged children
and studies show a direct correlation between backpacks and back pain in children.

Press Release Body = San Diego, Calif. - As children head back to school, they may
be expanding their minds but there is a good chance they're also damaging their
bodies. Back pain, historically an adult affliction, is now becoming common among
school-aged children and studies show a direct correlation between backpacks and
back pain in children.
In a recent study by Children's Hospital Los Angeles and the Keck School of Medicine
at the University of Southern California, 37% of the children studied reported back
pain, with 82% of these kids believing their backpack either caused or worsened
their pain. Of the children reporting back pain, 34% limited their activity due to
the pain. The study also found children with lockers reported less back pain.
Separate studies have also found that girls suffer back pain more often and more
intense than boys, and the onset of pain often correlates just prior to the onset of
puberty.
"Probably most disturbing about these findings is the fact that back pain in
children and adolescents is very likely a precursor to low back pain as an adult,"
said Anthony Carey, founder and CEO of Function First, a company that helps people
eliminate back pain, joint pain and chronic pain through a form of exercise called
corrective exercise. "It also concerns us that back pain is limiting activity in
children. Children need structured exercise programs just like adults. We need to
look at the relationship of back pain in kids with the increase in childhood obesity
and sedentary lifestyles," added Carey.
The study findings identify two changes to address the problem: 1) increasing the
availability of school lockers; and 2) lighter backpacks. Carey also points out that
The American Physical Therapy Association, American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons
and the American Chiropractic Association provide backpack weight limit guidelines.
Recommendations are based on the child's weight and are as follows:
o A 60 lb. child can carry a maximum backpack weight of 5 lbs.
o 60-75 lbs. can carry 10 lbs.
o 100 lbs. can carry 15 lbs.
o 125 lbs. can carry 18 lbs.
o 150 lbs. can carry 20 lbs.
o 200 lbs. can carry 25 lbs.
Anthony Carey, M.A., CSCS, CES is the author of "The Pain-Free Program" and the
founder and CEO of Function First, Inc. Function First provides a variety of
corrective exercise products and services that provide pain relief for those with
back pain, neck pain, joint pain and chronic pain. Carey, a continuing education
provider for the American Council on Exercise, the National Strength and
Conditioning Association, the American College of Sports Medicine, and the National
Academy of Sports Medicine also trains health and fitness professionals in his
methods of corrective exercise. For more information about Anthony Carey and
Function First, please visit www.FunctionFirst.com or call 619-285-9218.

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Web Site = http://www.functionfirst.com

Contact Details = Anthony Carey
2700 Adams Avenue
#205
San Diego, CA 92116
Em: acarey@functionfirst.com