It is currently fashionable for women to carry large purses. Many women find large purses a great convenience. It is possible to almost literally carry everything at times, including the kitchen sink. However, the quest to be fashionable and prepared may actually lead to neck and shoulder injuries.
It seems more and more kids carry backpacks that are almost bigger than they are! We frequently see kids who try to counter balance the weight of their back pack. They bend forward at the waist, round their shoulders forward or tilt their chins upward. Kids are experiencing back pain at a much earlier age than in the past according to the American Chiropractic Association. Heavy backpacks may be a contributing factor.
An excerpt from our August (2010) newsletter cites a new study published in the journal Pediatrics. The article talks about health care savings, but much more importantly saving the lives of nearly 1,000 (estimate) infant deaths annually. The excerpt also claims “... nearly 1,000 infant deaths could be prevented if more mothers would breastfeed at least six months, beginning immediately after birth.”