New Delhi, Sept. 24 -- Musculoskeletal problems among schoolchildren have risen by 40 per cent, with physiotherapy experts warning that prolonged sitting, excessive screen time and poor movement habits, rather than heavy schoolbags alone, could be contributing to growing complaints of back pain.
The Indian Association of Physiotherapists (IAP) has called for greater emphasis on physical fitness, movement education, posture awareness and preventive physiotherapy in schools to address the problem early.
"Back pain does not start in old age. We are seeing a concerning 40pc rise in musculoskeletal problems among schoolchildren, and this should make us rethink how we approach preventive healthcare in schools," said Dr Sanjiv K. Jha, organising...