Heavy schoolbags not direct cause of scoliosis, says MD

[snoop1130]

Heavy schoolbags not direct cause of scoliosis, says MD

By The Nation

 

 

An orthopaedics specialist has cast doubt on a Khon Kaen mother’s complaint about heavy schoolbags causing to her daughter’s scoliosis.

 

Dr Chatchawarl Sarntipiphat of Khon Kaen University’s Faculty of Medicine suggested on Tuesday the girl could have an underlying condition that was triggered by years of carrying a schoolbag heavy with books.

 

Toting heavy loads isn’t a direct cause of scoliosis. The cause has not yet been found, although studies have noted a possible link in the maternal heredity line, Chatchwarl said.

 

He urged parents to check on the spinal posture of their children, especially girls. Scoliosis usually afflicts girls over age 12. 

 

Timely detection from age 10 up would likely see the condition treated by wearing a supportive vest.

 

Without early treatment, surgery could be necessary and the person afflicted could never again lift heavy weights. 

 

Untreated scoliosis can bend the spine more than 40 degrees, requiring surgery to insert a metal shaft to support the spine.

 

Dr Chatchawarl agreed that underlying scoliosis could worsen as a result of carrying heavy loads on a regular basis over a long time.

 

Deputy Education Minister Khunying Kalaya Sophonpanich told reporters at Government House she knew of the Khon Kaen case and had officials looking into it. 

 

She believes students’ book burdens might be alleviated by introducing electronic books that can be read on digital devices.

 

The schoolgirl’s mother, Suparp Deboonmee Na Chumpae, said the school had given her daughter a trolley schoolbag, but the girl still complained of back pain and tended to slump while seated.

 

Her daughter has complained since she was in Mathayom 1 of exhaustion and back pain from carrying her heavy bag every day, Suparp said.

 

Source: https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30373913

 

-- © Copyright The Nation Thailand  2019-07-30

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[Matzzon]

1 hour ago, snoop1130 said:

Heavy schoolbags not direct cause of scoliosis, says MD

Is the problem big enough if it only has an indirect effect?

[hotchilli]

13 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

He urged parents to check on the spinal posture of their children,

Maybe eating off the floor picnic style to save the expense of buying tables & chairs has a lot more to do with bad posture, I'm sure an extended period of time during the growing years eating like a caveman has a serious effect on bone structure ?

[Krataiboy]

There is no need for children to risk back problems by lugging heavy school bags around. Give them serviceable desks with lockable drawers for their exercise and text books, so they would only need to carry homework back and forth.

 

Looking at the generally extremely poor standard of Thai school facilities one can't help wondering where all our money goes.  The very least our children should be entitled to is a decent desk to swat at through the long school day.

[thhMan]

I freaked out the first time I grabbed my daughters schoolbag and realized how heavy it was.
I asked her why she didnt leave her books in a locker... Apparently, the school she goes to doesn't have them.

 

Thai kids are better off using a bag with wheels..... However, due to regulations, the kids must all use the same type of bag

[justin case]

did the person that claims it did not, do clinical trials to prove it ? guess not