Back problems plague a large number of Americans, and in some cases, the causes of back problems can go back many years. Taking care of your back from a very young age can help prevent injuries and other underlying causes of back pain, so if you are a parent, it is important to do what you can during your kids' childhoods to help keep their backs healthy and strong. Luckily, promoting good back health and instilling important ideas that will keep your back strong in the future is not very hard. Use the following tips to help your kids develop and maintain healthy backs:
Emphasize Good Posture
If you want to decrease the likelihood of your child suffering back problems when he or she gets older, one of the best things you can do is emphasize good posture during the childhood years. So many people have poor posture that involves dropping their shoulders forward and hunching their back, which can put a lot of stress on the spine and back muscles. After years and years of living with poor posture, it is not uncommon for people to begin to experience back, neck, and shoulder pain. When your kids are young, teach them to stand up straight and practice good posture when sitting.
Pay Attention to Backpacks
Most kids wear a backpack to school every day, but a poorly constructed, heavy backpack that is unevenly loaded can cause a lot of harm to a child or teenager's back. This is especially true in middle and high school when kids tend to carry heavy textbooks in their backpack. When shopping for backpacks, look for ones made of high-quality material with straps that are wide and thick to help distribute the load and prevent your child from hunching over. Also try to keep the load in your child's backpack as light as possible so he or she is not carrying too much weight.
Encourage Exercise and Activity
It is important for kids to exercise for overall good health, but regular exercise and activity also benefits the back. Kids who are active and engage in regular exercise will strengthen their core muscles, which will help support the spine and keep it properly aligned. Ideally, you should encourage your child to engage in some form of exercise or activity each day.
Visit a Chiropractor
Chiropractors specialize in the musculoskeletal system, and they are trained to help their patients relieve pain and maintain good back health. If your child ever complains of back pain, schedule an appointment with a chiropractor who is experienced in treating pediatric patients. Even if your child is not experiencing back pain, regular chiropractic adjustments can be very beneficial and may prevent future back pain since adjustments ensure that the spine is always properly aligned.
Share16 April 2019
Ever since childhood, I’ve been a driven person. Even as a young kid, I always strived to make good grades. With my schoolwork, I was never satisfied unless I made a perfect score. As an adult, I still tend to be a perfectionist. For instance, I won’t leave my home until every hair is in place on my head. In my career, I work diligently to please my many clients. Unfortunately, my perfectionist nature often causes me to become tense. Whenever I’m stressed about something, the muscles in my neck and shoulders become extremely tight. Sometimes, this issue leads to tension headaches. Thankfully, I know where to go when I begin experiencing muscle tightness. I visit my trusted chiropractor. On this blog, you will discover the methods a chiropractor uses to relieve tension headaches.