What is chiropractic?
Chiropractic is a non-invasive, natural form of healthcare focusing on the important relationship between the spine and the nervous system. One of the most basic ideas in chiropractic is that dysfunction in the spine and its joints can lead to dysfunction within the nervous system. The nervous system controls and coordinates all of the systems of the body, spinal dysfunction can have wide ranging effects on the body’s health. Chiropractors are trained to evaluate and adjust this spinal dysfunction.
Spinal development
Throughout the developmental years kids endure a great amount of stress on their bodies. The spinal column grows about 50% in length over the first year of life! The curvatures are also developing during this time. At birth the spine is similar to a “C” shaped curve. At around 3 months of age, as the baby learns to raise and hold up their head, the spine gains its lordosis or neck curvature. At around 6 months, as they learn to sit is when the thoracic or midback kyphosis gains its shape. And around that year in age when they start to walk the low back or lumbar lordotic spine gains its shape. Finally creating the normal curvatures of the human spine.
Why should I get my child adjusted?
As you can see from birth through adolescence a child’s body is subject to numerous different forms of physical stress. This is why chiropractic care can be a critical part of your child’s health care needs. And some may argue can be more important during adolescence than adulthood. Many spinal problems can go unrecognized by parents because children do not complain of pain and are very flexible so we assume that they are just fine and that hard fall that they took must not have been so bad.
Some signs of things to look for which can indicate potential spinal problems include:
- disturbed sleeping patterns
- breastfeeding difficulties in the very young
- restricted head or neck movement to one side
- one shoulder or hip higher than the other
- re-occurring neck pain or headaches
Other common childhood disorders can also be linked with spinal dysfunction, these include:
- recurrent ear infections
- persistent sore throats and colds
- colic/reflux
- asthma
- scoliosis
- headaches
- bedwetting and/or constipation
- growing pains
- ADHD
Tech Neck:
One big concern with the world of technology we live in now is poor posture and neck pain due to staring at phones and tablets or computers. Looking down while doing these activities over and over again causes a great amount of stress on the neck and muscle tissue. With extensive overuse the neck curvature actually starts to change and straighten or go in the reverse direction. This condition is occurring in younger kids now more than ever, so being mindful of proper posture when using these devices is extremely important.
Call OSR today to schedule a Complimentary Consultation for your little one! 808-488-5555
