Skip to main content

Part of UT Health San Antonio

School of Health Professions, UT Health Science Center San AntonioSchool of Health Professions, UT Health Science Center San Antonio

Part of UT Health San Antonio

Give
Search

Quicklinks

School of Health Professions logo

Logins

  • LiveMail
  • Canvas

Schedule/Calendar/Catalog

  • Class Schedule
  • Catalog
  • Academic Calendars

Health/Wellness

  • Student Health Center
  • Needlestick Guidelines
  • Needlestick Incident Report
  • Insurance
  • Counseling Services

Technology

  • Service Desk
  • Password Reset
  • TechZone (Computer Store)

Other

  • Student Directory

 Close Quicklinks

Menu
  • Home
  • About
  • Programs
  • Admissions
  • Tuition and Financial Aid
  • Research
  • Student Life
  • Alumni

You are here

  • School of Health Professions News
  • OT students and faculty participate in safe backpack wearing event

OT students and faculty participate in safe backpack wearing event

Time & Date

Thursday, September 7, 2017


By Kate Hunger 

Did you know a student's backpack should weigh no more than 10 percent of his or her body weight? 

First-and-second-year Occupational Therapy students share those facts and more with parents and students at a back-to-school event at Palo Alto College on August 5 sponsored by State Sen. Carlos Uresti (Dist.19).

The OT students demonstrated how to safely wear and fill backpacks, said Kimatha Grice, OTD, OTR, CHT, associate professor, who also attended the event. It's important to teach parents and children how to safely use backpacks so that they avoid long-term back and neck pain caused by carrying bags that are too heavy, she said. Backpack wearers should use both straps to avoid excess strain, she added. 

"If they start out really young, by the time they are in high school" they could have chronic issues, Grice said of the effect of heavy backpacks. 

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission in 2013 reported that nearly 22,000 injuries caused by backpacks, including sprains, strains, dislocations and according to the American Occupational Therapy Association. 

National Backpack Awareness Day is Sept. 20 for more information, please visit the American Occupational Therapy Association. 


Share this news item
OT Students
Map image of UT Health San Antonio location

UT Health San Antonio
School of Health Professions

7703 Floyd Curl Drive
San Antonio, TX 78229
Contact Us
Admissions: 210-567-6220

1-866-802-6288

Connect with us

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Maps & directions
We make lives better ®

The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, also called UT Health San Antonio, is a leading academic health center with a mission to make lives better through excellence in advanced academics, life-saving research and comprehensive clinical care including health, dental and cancer services.

Web Privacy | Links from websites affiliated with UT Health's website (uthscsa.edu) to other websites do not constitute or imply university endorsement of those sites, their content, or products and services associated with those sites. The content on this website is intended to be used for informational purposes only. Health information on this site is not meant to be used to diagnose or treat conditions. Consult a health care provider if you are in need of treatment.