Ask a physiotherapist

Joan Chinsen has been working as a physiotherapist for over 20 years, and is presently working with children and young adults who are blind, visually impaired or deafblind at the residential school, W. Ross Macdonald School in Ontario, Canada.

Question

As a STUDENT with CHARGE SYNDROME, I have many things to carry between classes:  books, my lap top, my water bottle, my lunch. I was using a back pack.  I live with pain most of my life, but more recently my back is very sore.  The doctor believes some of the vertebrae have become immobile and I need physiotherapy. Is there anything you can suggest?

Answer:

If you have a locker, place as many things there as you can, or ask for an area in the school where some of your items can be locked up.  When looking for lap tops, try and find one that is light and more portable.  Many students find the suitcase style of bag on wheels more successful for carry things around the school.  The problem is, many end up with rotary cuff and other shoulder problems when using this repetitively.  I would suggest to alternate between using a back pack and the suitcase on different days, so that strain injury does not occur to compound other problems in your back. Make sure the pack is fitting properly, and that the waist strap is done up.  Also, see if you can incorporate some upper body resistance exercises and stretching somewhere in the day, perhaps around lunch time in addition to your physiotherapy sessions.

CHARGE Sydnrome Canada Newsletter Christmas 2005 <back to newsletter>