29th September 2005

Why Going Back to School Doesn’t Have to Be Painful

Now that the majority of Oxfordshire schoolchildren are back at school, the pressure is on for them to concentrate on studying and for some, sitting exams. However, the reality is, their concentration can be badly affected by the constant pain they are in.

According to research*, around 50 per cent of children experience back pain at some point, with heavy bags and poor posture being cited as the main reasons. Didcot company, Etcom People Engineers, has recognised this is an area often overlooked by parents, schools and Local Education Authorities and is aiming to highlight the issues through a series of workshops aimed at children and teachers.

“Unlike the world of work, where many companies recognise their employees need proper training by professionals in correct posture techniques, the law is woolly when it comes to schools,” says Hugh Babington Smith, managing director, Etcom People Engineers.

“We are aiming to raise awareness of the problems with Local Education Authorities and teachers, as there is a real gap in knowledge when it comes to the importance of understanding how good posture equals happy children.

“Like adults, if children suffer, they cannot perform properly, but it is their future, not the profit of the company, which loses out.”

A child should carry no more than 15 per cent of body weight and even carrying a lighter bag badly, may cause long-term damage, including scoliosis (sideways spine curvature), lower back or neck pain.

All Etcom training is undertaken by experienced, chartered physiotherapists who will be running a series of postural training workshops for teachers and children over the coming months.

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