After breaking two book bags in a year, Alice Siefker, a student at Sinclair Community College, finally found a roller book bag that holds all of her necessities and does not cause harm to her body.
“I am very happy with my roller book bag,” said Siefker. “My back no longer hurts and I am able carry a lot more school stuff.”
But other students are not as lucky.
Over the years, book bags are getting heavier, according to Billie Sanders, chair of the Exercise, Nutrition and Sports Science Department. Students are finding it convenient to lug around their textbooks, notebooks, folders, laptops and packed lunches all in the same book bag, not realizing their book bag may be the culprit for their neck, shoulder and lower back problems.
Sanders believes that heavy book bags are the catalyst for poor posture and problems with gait, which causes students to have low back pain and possibly neck, shoulder and nerve injuries.
“Many students, who overload their book bags, also improperly use their bags,” said Sanders.
She recommends students have wider straps on their book bags, wear their book bags closer to their body (not hanging below their waist), and pack the heavier textbooks closer to their back. This ensures that students are not being outweighed by their book bag and trying to compensate for it by leaning forward or slouching.
Melissa Decker, an Occupational Therapy Assistant student at Sinclair, said she has suffered from a pinched nerve due to her book bag. To this day, she believes it messed up the alignment of her body. On occasion, she said she can still feel the pain throughout her body.
And she is not alone. Brenda Koogler, an OTA student at Sinclair, has suffered shoulder pain for several years. She said she has tried several book bags to lessen the pain she feels in her shoulder, but to no avail.
Decker has also tried the roller book bag.
“I tried the roller book bag, but it ripped. I feel that it is a pain to carry. Especially, when you have to carry the book bag up and down the stairs, it is much quicker to take the stairs than the elevator,” she said.
On the other hand, Siefker has found the roller book bag very beneficial.
“I was taking four classes (one quarter). I had a book bag at the time and I had to fit my books, work clothes, lunch and emergency food stash. After a while, my back started killing me. I went out and bought the roller book bag,” Siefker said.
Samantha Sliver, an English major at Sinclair, has had similar success when it comes to the roller book bag.
“Roller book bags are kind of nerdy, but considering the amount of pain I have, I decided to get the roller book bag. Everything plays a role. From the amount of books to all of my notebooks, I can’t do it all. Plus it has a sleeve for my computer in it.”
For students that prefer the messenger bag, Sanders said several options are available. To alleviate the pressure that heavy book bags can cause to the body, Sanders said students should carry only what is necessary.
For those students who insist on carrying all of their things, she recommends a locker. To rent a locker, students can go to Student Activities, in Building 8, Room 025.
Lastly, Sanders suggests students take a Pilates, Yoga or Core conditioning class to strengthen the areas that are most affected by the book bag.
Book bags might be a necessity for college students, but the pain and possible injury associated with the book bag—doesn’t need to be.
“You’re given one body, you should take care of it. Especially, if you know the book bag is too heavy,” Sanders said. “So lighten the load.”