For many students, backpacks are simply a part of life. They carry them everywhere they go for most of the day.

Marisa Graham, junior, carries three textbooks, two novels, and a folder for every class on most days. While many teachers do not require students to carry the textbook to class, it is often necessary in order to do the homework.

Graham said her back pain happens “all the time . . . every single day.” She added, “I get muscle spasms and hot flashes in my spine.” “It makes sense that backpack weight would have an effect on back pain,” said Linda Bloodworth, a physical therapist consultant in Murfreesboro. She added that “research is mixed.” Although opinions vary, carrying around a twenty pound backpack is not ideal. Some ways to lessen the weight include carrying books outside the backpack, keeping your locker near your study hall, and moving unnecessary items, such as graded papers, to another location.