Children and Health
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Children and Health

By June 29, 2015July 15th, 2015No Comments

Chiropractic Care for Children
Children benefit from chiropractic care for the same problems for which adults are treated, which are predominantly musculo-skeletal disorders. For example, children have a fairly high incidence of back pain and other musculo-skeletal problems caused by participation in sports, sitting in desks at school, computer activities, and the frequent tumbles and falls that active children experience.

Chiropractic care is widely recognized as one of the safest, drug-free, surgery-free therapies available for the treatment different body and spinal pain syndromes. Few other therapies can demonstrate a better safety record. Provincial governments across Canada recognize that the chiropractic profession’s scope of practice includes treating patients of all ages.

More than 44 studies have been conducted into the effectiveness of chiropractic treatment for neck and back pain alone and there is well-documented evidence of the prevalence of back pain in children. Young children can also benefit from a spinal check-up at key stages in the same way that they benefit from eye examinations and dental check-ups. For example, starting to sit, crawl and walk are developmental points when a check-up will confirm that the spine is functioning properly or provide an early warning of any potential problems.

Exercise for children
 
Like adults, kids need exercise. Most children need at least an hour of physical activity every day. Regular exercise helps children: feel less stressed, feel better about themselves, feel more ready to learn in school, keep a healthy weight, build and keep healthy bones, muscles and joints and sleep better at night 
 
Children sometimes spend more time with watching TV, playing video games and computer time. Competitive sports can help kids stay fit and walking or biking to school, dancing, and yoga are some other ways for kids to get exercise. 
 
Diabetes and weight issues are becoming more prevalent with the youth of today!
 
The youth of today are becoming rounded through the shoulders and their necks are straightening out. This is due to computer use, texting, backpack use, and video games!
 
Massage and Children
Just as adults need positive touch, so too do children! Every child, from infancy to the teen years can benefit from massage therapy.
 
Babies respond well to massage, and show improved temperament, decreased instance of illness, and less fussiness. Babies find abdominal and back stroking to be particularly soothing, although the entire body will typically be treated.Treatments for babies are short; typically 15-20 minutes long.
 
Older children can also greatly benefit from massage therapy. Massage has a positive effect on a child’s developing tissues, helping with posture and range of motion. Additionally, massage can be used to treat soft tissue injuries due to sprains, strains, joint misalignments, dislocations, and many other types of injuries. Massage has also been shown to have a positive effect on depression, mood, and the immune system in children.  
Backpack Safety 
It’s well understood that heavy backpacks are taking a heavy toll on adolescent spines. Carrying heavy backpacks could cause a wide spectrum of pain related musculoskeletal disorders and postural dysfunctions.
Children commonly carry school backpacks of 10% to 22% bodyweight. Increasing backpack loads significantly compress lumbar disc heights. Backpack loads are responsible for a significant amount of back pain in children, which in part, may be due to changes in lumbar disc height or curvature. A child carrying a backpack weighing 15% of body weight changes all the postural angles in preadolescent children.
 
Studies on back pack use in children support the use of a 10% of body weight cutoff for safe use of backpacks.
 
If you would like Dr. Barbara Rodwin to check the ergonomics of your child’s back pack – how the straps are positioned, the size and positioning on their back. Feel free to speak to the front regarding booking time for this!
 
Vitamin D – Do Children Require it?
Vitamin D is important for children too! It helps with regulating nerve, muscle function, reduces inflammation, promotes calcium absorption, aids with bone strength and it is crucial for their immune systems! If children do not get the required amount their bones can become brittle, thin or malformed and the ability to heal is compromised.
 
Natural sources include fish, fish oils, and sunshine! Another source is supplements and fortified foods. They do carry children’s forms of Vitamin D supplementation.
 
If you have questions regarding Vitamin D or nutrition for your child, feel free to ask Dr. Barbara Rodwin.