Back to School: Helping Your Child's Body Adjust to the New Term
Summer is over, the alarm clocks are back on, and if your household is anything like mine, the shift from lazy mornings and unstructured days to school runs and packed timetables has hit everyone a little harder than expected.
As an osteopath, this time of year always brings a particular set of questions into the clinic — not just from parents worried about their own aches after a summer of gardening or DIY, but about their children too. So I wanted to put together a few pointers on what's actually going on in a growing body during this transition, and what you can do to help.
Feel free to watch my video blog from my You Tube Channel below:
The Shift From Active To Sedentary
Summer holidays tend to mean more movement — playing outside, being on the go, unstructured activity. Term time means more hours sitting on hard chairs, leaning over a desk, writing or working at a screen. That sudden change in posture and activity level can take a real toll, especially for children who aren't used to sitting still for long stretches.
Growth Spurts and Clumsiness
Many children go back to school in the middle of a growth spurt. When bones grow faster than the muscles and tendons around them can keep up, it can lead to general aches, pains, awkward postures, and a bit of clumsiness. This is completely normal, but it's worth being aware of rather than dismissing it.
The Backpack Question
Backpacks get blamed a lot, and while there isn't strong research directly linking backpack weight to low back pain in children, how a bag is worn does matter. A few simple habits help:
Use both straps, not just one slung over a shoulder
Pack heavier items towards the back of the bag, closer to the body
Avoid carrying an uneven load for long periods, particularly while walking
Interestingly, schools with lockers tend to see less reported low back pain in students, simply because children aren't hauling the same full bag around all day. If your child's school doesn't have lockers — mine doesn't either — it's worth being a bit more deliberate about what actually needs to go in the bag each day.
Forward Head Posture
This is one of the biggest factors I see in school-age children: the head gradually migrating forward of the shoulders from long periods sitting and looking down at books, screens, or phones. Over time this creates real tension through the neck, shoulders, and head. It's worth keeping an eye on posture at the desk and during homework, and building in some movement breaks.
Sleep Matters More Than People Think
Sleep routines almost always slip during the holidays, and getting back into a consistent rhythm is important for a growing body. Late nights in front of a screen have a knock-on effect on the whole of the next day — concentration, mood, and how the body copes physically with a demanding school day.
The Takeaway
Growing bodies go through a lot of change, especially over the summer holidays. Going back-to-school asks a lot of them all at once: new posture demands, changing sleep patterns, and often some social anxiety layered on top, particularly for children starting secondary school or a new social circle.
If your child is complaining of aches, pains, or just seems a bit stiff and out of sorts as term gets going, it's worth getting them checked over. Osteopathy can help identify what's driving the discomfort and put together a simple plan to support them through the transition.
You can find out more or book an appointment at evolveosteopathy.co.uk.