You see backpacks everywhere at Penn State. But could this campus staple be harmful to your health?

According to a national study conducted for the American Chiropractic Association, one third of all Americans over the age of 18 had a back problem in the past five years that was severe enough for them to seek professional help.

With back pain being one of the most costly and disabling problems facing American adults today, many health practitioners have begun investigating backpack misuse as a possible culprit.

There is disagreement among health care professionals about whether backpack use causes physical damage. Although some orthopedic surgeons cite a lack of data to support this idea, many chiropractors feel that backpack misuse can, in fact, cause severe back pain.

Both schools of thought, despite their discrepancy, agree that taking preventive measures is the best way to address this problem.

Choosing a Backpack:

First of all, when shopping for a backpack, you should look for one that is well designed. Features of a safe, comfortable backpack include curved, padded shoulder straps, which allow for free arm movement and disperse the weight across your shoulders. Multiple compartments can aid in better distribution of the weight, while a padded back adds comfort. Hip or chest belts can also stabilize a backpack by transferring the weight from your shoulders to your torso or hips.

Wearing a backpack correctly can also prevent injury. A backpack should rest between your neck and the curve of your lower back, never hanging more than four inches below the waistline. In addition, articles in your backpack should be organized so the biggest, heaviest items are closest to your back.

Finally, resist the temptation to purchase an extra-large backpack, as this can entice you to carry more items than are necessary. Instead, try to only carry those articles that you are required to have that day.

Whether backpack use is a definite source of back pain or not, education can help students take the proper steps toward a lifetime of improved spinal health. And doesn’t that carry well for everyone?

Elizabeth Lustgarten is a senior majoring in public relations and communications and an intern at University Health Services.