Head of the Physiotherapy Department at the Central Customs Hospital, physiotherapist Saida  Karimova, shared detailed information on the topic “Main reasons of increasing back and neck pain in children” within the “Doctor’s Advice” section.

In recent years, there has been a noticeable rise in complaints of back and neck pain among young children. A few years ago, such cases were relatively rare. However, the situation regarding spinal curvature in children has become much more serious in recent times.

One of the main causes of these problems is heavy and uncomfortable school bags. A developing spine struggles to carry excessive weight, which leads to various structural disorders. If the bag’s weight exceeds the normal limit, it can cause spinal deformities such as scoliosis or kyphosis. Unfortunately, many schoolchildren face this issue. The weight of a school bag should not exceed 10% of the child’s total body weight.

For example, if a child weighs 30 kilograms, the school bag should not weigh more than 3 kilograms. In reality, however, these bags often weigh 6–7 kilograms or even more. This leads to increased back, neck, and shoulder pain and may even cause spinal disc herniation at an early age.

Parents should be attentive and recognize the early signs of these problems in their children, such as:

• Forward head posture;

• Stooped or kyphotic appearance;

• Asymmetry of the shoulder blades or one side appearing more prominent;

• Pelvic tilt;

• Persistent back and neck pain.

Parents should pay close attention to their child’s posture, daily movement habits, and physical activity, as well as monitor the weight and carrying style of school bags. It is important to remember that a healthy spine is one of the key indicators of a child’s future quality of life.