Summer Checklist Article

Stephen V. Rapposelli, PT, OCS

Newspaper Article for the Wilmington News Journal

It is hard to believe it, but the school year is approaching quickly. As you are getting your "back to school" list ready, here are some easy additions that will make life healthier and happier for your kids as well as yourself:

1. Backpacks: Wide straps, rollers, and lightweight are the buzzwords when buying those new backpacks. Remember that the total weight of the pack, when fully loaded, should not exceed 10 per cent of your child's weight. This applies to your bag as well, Mom!
2. Shoes: Back when I was growing up, parents thought that wearing sneakers "ruined your feet". Today's sneakers are much different. Generally speaking, you get what you pay for. Look for shoes with good support, get fitted properly at a shoe store (those feet DID grow this summer!), and consider pulling out the insoles that came with the shoe and inserting separately purchased elastogel inserts. Your kid will love you for it!
3. Beds: This applies to EVERYONE! Flip all the mattresses in the house. By that, I mean flip it over, and flip it head to foot. Everyone in the house will sleep better, and going to bed early for the first time in months won't seem so bad! If the bed is over 15 years old, it is time to get a new one. Over the years in our practice, we have come to the conclusion that money is well spent on what you wear on your feet and what you sleep on.
4. Get your check-up: You have your dental check-up, and your pre-season physical, so why not get a physical therapist check-up for your child's musculoskeletal system? Kids grow like weeds in July, and their muscles and joints can get out of balance. A complete evaluation by an orthopedic PT can uncover potential imbalances that can lead to injury. I continue to be shocked when I am treating a high school athlete for an injury, only to find out how weak or tight or un-agile they really are when challenged. This can be totally prevented by having them work on their SPECIFIC problem areas. You as a parent simply can not know this unless they get evaluated.
5. Take better care of yourself: When the oxygen masks drop down in a plane, you are supposed to put YOURS on first! Help your kids by helping yourself. September is stressful for parents, and we frequently put ourselves last on the list. Use August to START an exercise program, schedule a massage for you NOW for the middle of September, and get those nagging aches and pains looked at now. Ten years from now, your kids will thank you for it!