Durham, N.C. - Your child's backpack could be unhealthy. If a backpack is too heavy or not worn correctly, it can cause neck, shoulder and back pain and even lead to spinal problems. Experts, including Dr. Lloyd Hey, an orthopedic spine surgeon at Duke University Medical Center, recommend that children carry no more than 15 percent of their body weight in their packs. He especially cautions against wearing the pack slung over one shoulder.

"That applies uneven loading to the spine, which can lead to muscle strain, as well as potentially even bigger problems, such as microfractures down at the lowest part of the spine."

Hey says help your children get organized and minimize the number of books they carry. If pain persists, you can request a second set of books that can be used at home. And he says to listen if your child complains of back pain.

"If you notice that the child's shoulders are abnormal in terms of not being lined up, that could be an indication of an underlying spinal problem, such as scoliosis, that should be further evaluated by an orthopedic spine specialist."

I'm Cabell Smith for MedMinute.