A healthy spine and nervous system is important for everyone, but is especially important for kids and teens. During the various stages of youth, kids’ bodies and minds are still developing; the habits they have now will impact how they feel and can influence their health in the future.
Helping kids maintain their health with chiropractic care has great benefits, including improving posture, decreasing the chance of injury, decreasing the likelihood and/or impact of spinal problems such as scoliosis, and improving overall health.
Chiropractic has no age limits and kids can benefit greatly from beginning chiropractic before they reach adulthood. Studies have shown that children who receive regular chiropractic care are less frequently sick, are able to concentrate better, and are generally healthier. As a parent, you can give your kids the gift of health.
Here are four things that you can do today to help improve your child’s spinal health:
Helping kids maintain their health with chiropractic care has great benefits, including improving posture, decreasing the chance of injury, decreasing the likelihood and/or impact of spinal problems such as scoliosis, and improving overall health.
Chiropractic has no age limits and kids can benefit greatly from beginning chiropractic before they reach adulthood. Studies have shown that children who receive regular chiropractic care are less frequently sick, are able to concentrate better, and are generally healthier. As a parent, you can give your kids the gift of health.
Here are four things that you can do today to help improve your child’s spinal health:
- Chiropractic care. Just as children need good hygiene, regular dental care, and proper nutrition, they also need regular chiropractic care. Chiropractic care will help to restore and maintain normal spinal and nervous system function, allowing a child’s body to develop optimally.
- Regular chiropractic care will vary for each child. Some kids may only need a check up every now and then, while others may need to be seen more often. Whatever the frequency is for your child, it is important and helpful to have a professional assess the health of their spine. Having a “baseline” will make it easier to detect changes and evaluate how they are progressing as they grow.
- If your child participates in contact sports such as football, the need for chiropractic is dramatically increased. The impact of these contact sports can cause concussions as well as strains on their musculoskeletal system. Seeing a chiropractor regularly can help ensure that they are properly aligned and make it easier to detect when changes occur or new symptoms arise.
- Limit backpack weight. One common source of spinal injury and back pain for children is their heavy backpacks. Limit the weight of their backpacks to 10% - 15% of their body weight. For example: A child weighing 60 lbs. should carry no more than 9 lbs, and a child weighing 90 lbs. should carry no more than 13.5 lbs. Read our blog for more information about the proper use of backpacks.
- Keep kids active. There is an epidemic of childhood obesity in this country as more and more children spend their day in front of the television and playing on the computer. This not only increases their risk of developing diabetes and heart disease early in life, it is also very stressful on the spine. More and more children suffer from back pain and headaches simply because they don’t get enough exercise.
- Be proactive about posture. Spending extended amounts of time on personal devices and sitting at desks can make it more difficult to maintain proper posture. The posture kids have now becomes harder to correct as they get older. In addition, poor posture can cause chronic tension, headaches, decreased energy, and poor attitude.
- Continuous time spent in one position is the most challenging for the body. Be sure kids are taking breaks to move around and/or limit the time spent on personal devices.
- Read our Wellness Report: Posture and Your Health to better understand the types of different posture and to get tips on how to increase awareness of poor posture and good posture.
- Bring them in for a free postural evaluation. You can find the information and times for our free evaluations by clicking here.
Every child is different and has unique needs. Our Doctor of Chiropractic is trained in evaluating and treating the spines of all ages and addressing a wide range of conditions.
Our chiropractor, Dr. Adam Drapkin, is located in the heart of Eugene and is passionate about helping kids with their posture and spinal health. Chiropractic is great for symptomatic treatment as well as preventative care for overall wellness. Don’t wait, it’s never too early to give your kids the gift of a healthy spine with regular chiropractic care.
Our chiropractor, Dr. Adam Drapkin, is located in the heart of Eugene and is passionate about helping kids with their posture and spinal health. Chiropractic is great for symptomatic treatment as well as preventative care for overall wellness. Don’t wait, it’s never too early to give your kids the gift of a healthy spine with regular chiropractic care.
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