Why and How to Take a Stand Against Your Child's Bad Posture
Posted on: 7 September 2017
Does your child slouch too often, bend their knees when they walk, lean their head too far to one side or complain of aches and pains in their midline or muscles? If so, they may have bad posture. It's important to address bad posture in children as it can have serious negative effects, and one of the best ways to do so is by seeing a children's chiropractor. Read on to find out why you need to take a stand against your child's postural imbalance, and how chiropractic can help.
Why Do Children Have Bad Posture?
When many people think about bad posture, their minds go to visions of elderly citizens whose spines have taken a lot of wear and tear over the years. Unfortunately, bad posture isn't something that's limited to older generations--in fact, one study found that 38% of children aged between 4 and 12 have posture problems.
There's rarely one root cause of bad posture in children. Hunching over electronics, slouching in class, carrying a backpack that's too heavy, wearing poorly fitted shoes, low quality mattresses, injuries and weight gain can call contribute to improper positioning when standing or sitting.
What's So Bad About Bad Posture?
Having good posture isn't just about manners and etiquette. A persistent unhealthy stance can lead to significant back problems, even in young children. Over time, poor posture can put pressure on the spine and surrounding tissues, causing it to become misaligned and degraded. This can lead to pain and discomfort that impacts your child's quality of life, preventing them from participating in their favourite sports or activities. And, if not addressed, the effects of bad posture will only get worse over time, leading to more serious health issues.
How Can Chiropractic Help?
The best way to start improving your child's posture is to address the root causes of their improper stance, but how can you treat the damage that's already been done before it becomes a problem? One ideal solution is to see a chiropractor. Chiropractic care is based on the principle that spinal health is central to whole body health, and chiropractors are trained to treat subluxations (misalignments of the spine) via manual therapy techniques.
A chiropractor can examine your child to identify the core of their postural imbalance, then use massage therapy and specially planned exercises to help get your child standing and sitting straight again. Chiropractic care is completely natural and safe for children, making it an ideal treatment option for your youngster.
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