Physios offer free sessions
Free children’s back checks campaign raises awareness of problem of heavy schoolbags
NEXT week physiotherapists around France are offering free consultations for children, in a bid to raise awareness of the problem of heavy schoolbags.
Parents’ federation FCPE, one of the bodies organising the week-long event, says its previous studies have shown children’s schoolbags weigh on average 20% of their body weight – double the maximum 10% that is said to be healthy for their backs.
They are stuffed too full of required textbooks and exercise books, the federation says.
Their campaign aims at getting as many children checked out as possible, to avoid them developing back pains that should be preventable: they will have a free assessment of their back health and be given advice.
“The aim is to flag up the large number of children suffering back pains, right from the youngest ages, and to fight against the causes,” the organisers say.
The offer is aimed at those in the last two years of primary school and the first year of secondary: CM1 and CM2 and 6e.
A list of physiotherapists (kinésithérapeutes, or kinés for short) taking part can be found by following the link at the bottom of the page here: Physios or going directly to download the pdf.
Photo:Immanuel Giel
