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The BackTpack Design Team 
BackTpack was developed by Marilyn Miller von Foerster, physical therapist, with help from her husband Andreas and son Nicholas. Marilyn is an Oregon physical therapist who has dedicated over 40 years of practice to helping people with back problems. She received degrees from the University of Oregon, Duke University School of Physical Therapy and San Francisco State University. She has conducted pioneering research in abdominal muscle coordination training. Coupled with her research, she developed a unique and highly effective method of teaching back health skills based on proper posture and movement habits within her patient's home and work environments. Marilyn also works with physical educators and has been a visiting lecturer at Stanford University and Pacific University Schools of Physical Therapy. She is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association, World Confederation of Physical Therapy, American Association of Health Physical Education Recreation and Dance, and the Healthy Kids Learn Better Coalition of Oregon. Through her clinical experience she has seen that back health is a function of correct movement and postural habits. Teaching correct habits is the foundation of her therapeutic and preventive approach. Why get treatment and return to the habit that caused the problem? As part of her commitment to eliminate the life- limiting epidemic of back disability, she began advising school districts on furniture selection and backpack use and alternatives. In 2001, her back health and school chair project with local fifth graders was shown on FOX 49 News in Portland, Oregon. When her son Nicholas started middle school she became aware of the widespread use of backpacks, dreadful postures and associated pain. The need for students to have a carrying system that loads the body in correct posture without pain, and the absence of such a product on the market, compelled the creation of BackTpack. Having observed that backpacks appear to cause poor posture and pain, she felt a moral and professional responsibility to redesign the school bag to actually train correct posture and mechanics. Since posture training is lacking in most physical education and athletic programs, and so many students are inactive, the BackTpack is a tool to teach essentials of back health habits beginning with good posture. Nicholas was in middle school when BackTpack was created. He advised on accessories important to students and where to place pockets and other features of the BackTpack. Nicholas now attends Oregon State University where he is majoring in sports medicine with a chemistry minor. He is a multi-sport athlete, and enjoys photography, videography, and design solutions. He has made principle contributions to our website, brochures and videos. Andreas is an architect, a native of Germany and graduate of the University of Illinois. He provided drawings and design suggestions, business structure and patent work. Both Andreas and Nicholas continue to advise on design and function of BackTpack and participate with Marilyn in trade shows. They are the support system of BackTpack. BackTpack featured on KATU Channel 2 and CNN.com! |
BackTpack, recommended by physical therapists nationwide, is an ergonomic backpack that reduces pain, trains posture and encourages a healthy lifestyle.
