The concern is widespread that a too heavy school satchel can lead to curvature of the spine in a child. On the day when the country's schoolchildren go to school after the summer holidays, we decided to check if such a parental fear is reasonable.

Information that a heavy backpack can cause scoliosis is found in regional, and in the federal media (for example, article "RIA Novosti"" Correct backpack and physical education: how to protect a schoolboy from scoliosis "). Fears Regarding backpacks divided and themselves parents On the forums. These fears are actively operated And Manufacturers Ryukzakov, Offering own structureswho supposedly They can protect schoolchildren from the development of this disease.

Scoliosis called One type of spinal deformation. He happens with one arc of curvature, then his called C-shaped, with two-S-shaped, with three-Z-shaped. For reasons for the occurrence of scoliosis Divide For three types: congenital, acquired and arising as a result of injuries or other diseases. By statistics, from 2% to 4% of children aged 10-16 years have this disease. Although girls and boys are equally subject to scoliosis, severe forms that require wearing a corset and even surgical intervention are more often found in girls.

At the same time, the concepts of “scoliosis” and “curvature of the spine” are not synonymous - with scoliosis, the spine is twisted immediately in three directions. Also exist States such as kyphosis (bending of the spine facing the bulge back) or lordosis (bending the spine with a convexity forward). Pathologies can also be combined, then the doctor diagnoses kyphoscoliosis or lordoscoliosis.

Heavy forms of scoliosis are usually You can see Even a non -professional. One shoulder becomes higher than the other, one scapula sticks out more than the other, one thigh is higher than the other. To clarify the diagnosis and choice of treatment tactics, an X -ray is usually prescribed. Scoliosis Dangerous The fact that, in addition to back pain and non -aesthetic appearance, it can cause breathing problems, since the curved chest prevents the easy to work at full force.

Let's figure out the causes of scoliosis. As the name is clear, congenital scoliosis is a pathology that manifested herself immediately at birth. The child did not wear any heavy backpack at that time. The causes of pathology are a violation of intrauterine development and genetic diseases. In particular, scoliosis often accompanies diseases such as Down syndrome, Marfan syndrome, Bifid's back.

Post -traumatic scoliosis Maybe develop At any age. As the name implies, such a pathology occurs after an injury, most often a fracture of the spine. Therefore, she has nothing to do with backpacks.

The third type of scoliosis is acquired, it is also called Idiopathic. This is the most common type of disease, it is diagnosed in 80% of patients. "Idiopathic" in the name meansthat the reason for its occurrence is unknown. Most likely, it was the unknown of the cause that gave rise to the myth that scoliosis could occur from a severe backpack or, for example, improper posture and insufficient physical activity. However, none of these factors are listed in the list of causes of scoliosis on such authoritative resources as the site of one of the largest medical and research centers in the world "Clinic Mayo"As well as sites National Healthcare Service of Great Britain And British scoliosis associations. American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons on its site also considers The question is whether the backpack can cause scoliosis. Experts unequivocally argue that there is no connection between the backpack and scoliosis.

At the same time too heavy backpack Maybe become the cause of back pain and lower back. According to the recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics, the weight of the backpack should be no more than 15% of the student’s weight. Similar Norms There is in Russia, Rospotrebnadzor advises to adhere to the following standards:

for students in grades 1–2-not more than 1.5 kg;
3-4 classes-not more than 2 kg;
5-6 classes-not more than 2.5 kg;
7–8 classes-not more than 3.5 kg;
9–11 classes-no more than 4 kg.

It is also widespread that the wearing of a backpack on one shoulder will aggravate back or lower back pain. However, there are separate scientific data that refutes this. Greek doctors Observing For 3441 students aged 9 to 15 years. Children reported on back pain and lower back after wearing a backpack. Scientists did not find correlations between the level of pain, as well as the frequency of its occurrence and the manner of wearing a backpack - on one shoulder or on both.

Eat Also Separate Observations indicating that idiopathic scoliosis can be due to a specific set of genes. So, Meta analysis 50 studies of genes allegedly related to this disease allowed to determine 34 Candidate genes, however, until the final understanding of how genetics affects such a curvature of the spine, still far away.

Thus, a school backpack, even heavy, according to modern science, cannot cause scoliosis. However, it is worthwhile to adhere to weight norms, since a too overloaded satchel can provoke back pain and lower back.

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