Back to School: Find the right backpack to prevent neck and shoulder pain

With the start of school around the corner, parents are out and about shopping for school supplies. 

While you're searching for the perfect backpack, make sure you choose wisely. It's not just about the stylish loo, finding the right backpack can help your child prevent back and shoulder pain.

47 ABC spoke to a chiropractor, Dr. Jonathan Murphy from the Morrison Chiropractic Center, who says you shouldn't invest in thin straps. You need to make sure the backpack is very supportive and that there's good padding.

But beyond the purchase, it's how you wear the backpack. Make sure the straps are tight and the majority of the weight is in the lower back. 

There are several factors that can cause some serious pain. "You can have hand tingling from having too much across the shoulders because you have nerves that run down to your arms and your hands. You can have low back pain because if you have that backpack that's too heavy, it causes the curvature of the low back and it distributes the weight unevenly," Dr. Murphy tells us. 

These signs can be precursors to chronic back pain. 

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, your child shouldn't carry more than 10-20% of the student's body weight.