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What To Expect
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On your first visit, Dr. Michael will discuss with you your health history, any concerns that you may have and what your health goals are. You will undergo a thorough physical examination, depending on what is indicated by your history and presentation. It may include posture, range of motion, reflexes, sensory testing, nerve function, structural x-ray, balance, co-ordination, others as necessary for your particular case. From this thorough examination, we can let you know if this is a Chiropractic issue andif we are the best approach to help you. On your second visit we will go over the results of the assessment (and any x-rays if these were taken on your initial visit) and explain the findings in detail. We will give you specific recommendations to reach your goals, and begin your journey to better health. We pride ourselves on our thorough, professional and caring service. Call us to make an appointment or discuss how we can best help you. |
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Dr. Michael's Tips for Maintaining Good Posture in Children
Good posture plays a crucial role in the overall health and well-being of children. It not only promotes proper physical development but also helps prevent various musculoskeletal problems later in life. It is important to instil good posture habits early on, we all remember our mum or grandma reminding us to sit up straight.
In this blog post, I provide 7 valuable tips for maintaining good posture in children and explain why regular check-ups with a chiropractor may be beneficial.
1. Educate and Encourage Awareness:
Teaching children about the significance of good posture is the first step towards promoting it. Explain to them how proper posture can support their muscles, bones, overall body allignment & nervous system function. Encourage them to be mindful of their posture during everyday activities like sitting, standing, and walking.
2. Ergonomic Considerations:
Ensure that your child's environment supports good posture. Provide them with ergonomically designed furniture, such as a chair and desk that are appropriate for their height. Ensure that the computer or screen is positioned at eye level to avoid straining the neck.
3. Encourage Regular Breaks:
Extended periods of sitting or engaging in sedentary activities can lead to poor posture. Encourage your child to take frequent breaks during prolonged activities, such as studying or screen time. Encourage them to engage in light stretching exercises to release tension and improve blood circulation.
4. Promote Physical Activity:
Regular physical activity and exercise play a vital role in maintaining good posture. Encourage your child to participate in activities that promote balance, flexibility, and core strength, such as swimming, dancing, or yoga. These activities help develop strong muscles and improve posture.
5. Backpack Safety:
Improper backpack use can significantly impact a child's posture. Teach your child to wear both straps of their backpack to distribute weight evenly across their shoulders and back. Choose a backpack with wide, padded straps and a waist belt for additional support.
6. Monitor Mobile Device Usage:
Excessive use of mobile devices can lead to poor posture, commonly known as "text neck." Encourage your child to hold their device at eye level, take breaks, and practice neck stretches to prevent strain on the neck and upper back. Also important to consider brain, social and cognitive development, the less is better when it comes to device and technology use.
7. Regular Check-ups with a Chiropractor:
Regular check-ups with a chiropractor can be invaluable in maintaining good posture and overall spinal health in children. Chiropractors are trained to identify and address musculoskeletal issues that may affect posture. They can provide personalised advice, perform adjustments if necessary, and recommend exercises or stretches to support proper posture.
Maintaining good posture is essential for the long-term health and well-being of children. By following these tips, you can help your child develop healthy posture habits. Additionally, regular check-ups with a chiropractor can provide professional guidance and support in optimising your child's posture. Remember, good posture is a lifelong habit that starts in childhood and benefits us throughout our lives.
References:
1. AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics). (2019). Backpack safety. Retrieved from https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/orthopedic/Pages/Backpack-Safety.aspx
2. American Chiropractic Association. (n.d.). Posture. Retrieved from https://www.acatoday.org/Patients/Health-Wellness-Information/Posture
3. BackCare. (n.d.). Healthy posture for children. Retrieved from https://www.backcare.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Healthy-posture-for-children.pdf
4. Mayo Clinic. (2021). Text neck: How to prevent it. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/text-neck/in-depth/text-neck-prevention/art-204
In this blog post, I provide 7 valuable tips for maintaining good posture in children and explain why regular check-ups with a chiropractor may be beneficial.
1. Educate and Encourage Awareness:
Teaching children about the significance of good posture is the first step towards promoting it. Explain to them how proper posture can support their muscles, bones, overall body allignment & nervous system function. Encourage them to be mindful of their posture during everyday activities like sitting, standing, and walking.
2. Ergonomic Considerations:
Ensure that your child's environment supports good posture. Provide them with ergonomically designed furniture, such as a chair and desk that are appropriate for their height. Ensure that the computer or screen is positioned at eye level to avoid straining the neck.
3. Encourage Regular Breaks:
Extended periods of sitting or engaging in sedentary activities can lead to poor posture. Encourage your child to take frequent breaks during prolonged activities, such as studying or screen time. Encourage them to engage in light stretching exercises to release tension and improve blood circulation.
4. Promote Physical Activity:
Regular physical activity and exercise play a vital role in maintaining good posture. Encourage your child to participate in activities that promote balance, flexibility, and core strength, such as swimming, dancing, or yoga. These activities help develop strong muscles and improve posture.
5. Backpack Safety:
Improper backpack use can significantly impact a child's posture. Teach your child to wear both straps of their backpack to distribute weight evenly across their shoulders and back. Choose a backpack with wide, padded straps and a waist belt for additional support.
6. Monitor Mobile Device Usage:
Excessive use of mobile devices can lead to poor posture, commonly known as "text neck." Encourage your child to hold their device at eye level, take breaks, and practice neck stretches to prevent strain on the neck and upper back. Also important to consider brain, social and cognitive development, the less is better when it comes to device and technology use.
7. Regular Check-ups with a Chiropractor:
Regular check-ups with a chiropractor can be invaluable in maintaining good posture and overall spinal health in children. Chiropractors are trained to identify and address musculoskeletal issues that may affect posture. They can provide personalised advice, perform adjustments if necessary, and recommend exercises or stretches to support proper posture.
Maintaining good posture is essential for the long-term health and well-being of children. By following these tips, you can help your child develop healthy posture habits. Additionally, regular check-ups with a chiropractor can provide professional guidance and support in optimising your child's posture. Remember, good posture is a lifelong habit that starts in childhood and benefits us throughout our lives.
References:
1. AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics). (2019). Backpack safety. Retrieved from https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/orthopedic/Pages/Backpack-Safety.aspx
2. American Chiropractic Association. (n.d.). Posture. Retrieved from https://www.acatoday.org/Patients/Health-Wellness-Information/Posture
3. BackCare. (n.d.). Healthy posture for children. Retrieved from https://www.backcare.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Healthy-posture-for-children.pdf
4. Mayo Clinic. (2021). Text neck: How to prevent it. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/text-neck/in-depth/text-neck-prevention/art-204
Recent Chiropractic Research
How improving neck curve can improve pain that goes down your arm.
This study looks at how improving the normal neck curve and head posture (CBP) along with rehabilitation, had a more favourable outcome in radiating nerve pain than those subjects that had rehabilitation alone (1).
Research shows a reduced neck curves may accelerate arthritis.
In this research it showed that forward head posture increases the stress to the lower neck by up to 325% of the normal amount (2). This increased loading is what has been shown to accelerate degeneration (arthritis) in the neck.
Lower back pain can be related to loss of curve.
Research (3) has shown that there is a causal link between chronic low back pain and a loss of the lumbar lordosis. The side curve acts as a shock absorber, and if the curve is less than normal, the weight of your body, plus any activity will stress the joints, nerves and other tissues around that low back resulting in pain.
References
- Moustafa IM, Diab AA, Taha S, Harrison DE. Addition of a Sagittal Cervical Posture Corrective Orthotic Device to a Multimodal Rehabilitation Program Improves Short- and Long-Term Outcomes in Patients With Discogenic Cervical Radiculopathy. Arch Phys Med Rehabil, 2016, 97: 2034-2044.
- Harrison DD, Jones WE, Janik TJ, Harrison DE. Evaluation of Flexural Stresses in the Vertebral body Cortex and Trabecular Bone in Three Cervical Configurations with an Elliptical Shell Model. J Manipulative Physiol Ther 2002; 25(6): 391-401.
- Chun et al, The relationship between lower back pain and lumbar lordosis: a systematic review and meta analysis. The Spine Journal Aug 2017 Vol17 Issue 8: 1180-1191
