Have you ever heard of the saying “…as the twig is bent, so grows the tree”? This definitely holds true with children in regard to spinal health. Experts agree that most spinal problems actually begin between childhood and a person reaching his/her early 20’s. When you also add in the fact that 80% of people will have a lower back issue at some time in their lifetime, it becomes even more alarming. Sounds encouraging, right? The good news is, when detected early, spinal disorders become easier to treat, in most cases. A recent survey showed that the majority of people would consider seeing a Chiropractor for a spinal problem if/when they had one. Why not encourage prevention of spinal problems by having your children checked early?
Warning Signs to Look For in Your Child
- Child complains about his/her back or joints hurting repetitively
- One shoulder is higher than the other
- Hips that are unlevel
- Uneven wear on the shoes
- Clumsiness or difficulty walking
- “Slouched” or Head-forward posture
- Headaches
- Inability to concentrate or seems “fidgety”
How are Childhood Problems “Checked” and Treated?
Diagnosis involves history of the condition (if healthy, it’s similar to a “well-child” check up, hands-on examination of the involved areas and often diagnostic studies such as X-ray studies to determine the extent of the problem. Traditional medical treatment for most childhood postural/spinal disorders involves monitoring until the problem become either painful or limits function. Some conditions will have specialized braces recommended that are uncomfortable (at the least) and research doesn’t show a great benefit from the use.
How Can Chiropractic Help?
Conservative Chiropractic treatment, following proper evaluation is many times able to provide relief and resolution of spinal problems many times before symptoms are present. If the child is symptomatic, proper evaluation will reveal the pain generator, amount of tissue damage and the underlying cause of the problem. Treating children should be painless for both the child and the parent alike. It is suggested that parents have their children checked at the Chiropractor at least twice each year as part of a healthy lifestyle (similar to having the teeth checked).