Soon students will begin the traditional calendar ritual of heading back to school. Many parents will start to scurry around for clothes, paper, athletic gear, band equipment, pencils, and of course the new backpack.

Unfortunately, many parents will make a backpack purchase without much consideration for proper fit. When you start shopping for a backpack remember to pay special attention to its size and design.

When trying to find the correct size, it is important to make sure that the backpack is no larger than the child's back. Buying a larger pack could allow your child to overload it and cause unnecessary back strain. If your child is not going to be with you when you shop, take a measurement of his/her back from his/her shoulders to their waistline. Using that figure, plus or minus two inches, you will be able to purchase the correct pack size.

The design of the backpack is also very important. This includes the number of compartments, the number of supporting straps, and of course the other "extra" features to make the backpack more comfortable and ergonomic.

A backpack should come with additional side pockets for smaller items. These extra pockets will allow for the smaller items to be placed on the sides and not in the larger areas designed for books, notebooks, or laptop computers. Tip: Books should be loaded with the heaviest/largest closest to the child's back.

When shopping for a backpack, make sure that the new pack includes two padded straps for the shoulders, a chest strap, and a waist/beltline strap. Using these four supports, children will significantly reduce their risk of back strain by allowing the weight to be distributed to the larger muscle groups more evenly. Tip: Carrying a backpack by one strap can lead to improper spine alignment and promotes fatigue and eventual back strain at a greater rate than if carrying the backpack by both straps.

Finally, look for a backpack that is lightweight and includes a lumbar support or additional padding for the back. This will reduce the weight and compression of the contents of the pack on your child's back. Irritation from a book or computer will cause the muscles to tighten and become uncomfortable. This usually leads to the child altering the way he or she carries the pack and often stresses the side of the body that the child favors. Tip: Look for a backpack that is lightweight and includes low back padding.

Back to school shopping can be hectic. However, with the proper planning buying a backpack can be easy and help prevent injury. Have a great school year!