Chiropractic Care for the Whole Family Part 3: Children and Teenagers

It is in childhood were some of our postural habits start to form and early injuries happen that can have a direct effect on our spine.  This is a time where early injures can set the stage for a future chronic problem. Taking care of children and teenagers is mostly about working to prevent a loss of the normal upright posture and spinal alignment to be keep their spine healthy. 

A few potential causes of injury include infant walkers and jumpers.  These place the child in an upright, weight bearing, posture well before the child's body is ready for it. This can stress the lower back and cause  or contribute to an injury called a spondylolisthesis.  This is a condition that is not always symptomatic till later in life, and something we can help manage even in early childhood.

Children can be very curious, getting themselves into situations that may result in minor injuries, but these minor injuries may have major consequences.  I am not an advocate for keeping your children from having fun, but making sure that their body, health, and spine are taken care of to prevent their various falls and bumps from becoming a more serious issue for them later in life.

There are various everyday stresses our children and teenagers are subjected to today that are effecting their spine and body development.  From carrying heavy backpacks to using the computer, playing video games, and even using small electronic devices like the Nintendo ds, apple ipods, and every mobile phone that is out there, these all contribute to poor posture.  It is important today to stress good posture for proper development and health today.  Helping to improve posture is what we are doing today for the children we see in our office. 

In the teenage years there is increased development and growth, an important time to ensure their bodies are growing the right way. As they become involved with sports and other activities we want to continue to ensure that these activities do not cause an injury to their spine and posture.  This is also the time when conditions such as scoliosis may become evident.  This is a condition too big for this post, but I will say it is something that we can successful treat with the procedures we use in the office today.   

Treating children and teenagers is safe, effective, and in our mind necessary due to the stresses kids have on their bodies today.  As with every disease process, correcting spinal posture earlier in life can lead to fewer problems as we age.  I am sure we have a few patients that see us, that if they would have known then what they know now, would liked to get their spine checked earlier in their life.