Is seeing a chiropractor on your child’s back to school list? Many parents find that once they make their children’s spine health a priority, they see many positive outcomes in their child’s wellbeing. Here are some tips on how to support your student’s spine this back to school season:
- Teach your child proper posture at home and encourage them to remember this at school. Sitting in a chair for a long period of time can put strain on the spine. Many children resort to a hunched posture when sitting which puts pressure on the spine and can cause your child pain down the road. Remind them that their head should be above their shoulders and their shoulders should be above their hips. Practice and demonstrate this at home, they will thank you later!
- Select and adjust your child’s backpack with their spine health in mind. A backpack with wide and padded straps is best because these features help distribute the weight of the materials evenly. Don’t let your child fall into the habit of wearing only one strap of their backpack as this puts more stress on one side of the body and can lead to soreness. Additionally, make sure to tighten the straps of your child’s backpack so that it is snug against the child’s body. As a rule of thumb, a child shouldn’t be carrying more than 10-15% of their body weight. Choosing the right backpack and using these tips will help to minimize the back strain they experience.
- Have your child see a chiropractor regularly. Chiropractic care brings results such as an improved immune system, better sleep, reduced stress, improved focus and concentration and a reduced likelihood of developing certain musculoskeletal disorders in the future. Since the spine is the center of the nervous system, ensuring it is aligned will help all systems of the body function in harmony and promote self healing within the body. Chiropractic care for children consists of very gentle manipulations and most young patients find the process comfortable and walk out feeling better than they did walking in.
With all the challenges and opportunities that the new school year brings, the last thing your child should be focused on is back pain. Fortunately, taking measures to promote spine health in your child can not only help them this school year, but can help them grow into a healthy adult.