Back Pain in Children

Some sources claim a backpack should weigh no more than 10-15% of a child’s body weight, but most research on this topic provides inconsistent recommendations for this ratio. While this answer remains unclear, there are still quick and easy ways to reduce, redistribute, and stabilize the weight on your child’s back. When selecting a backpack, choose one made of light material, such as canvas instead of leather. Make sure that it has two padded and adjustable straps that are no less than two inches wide, and contains a hip strap or waist belt to redistribute excess weight from the shoulders to the pelvis. Finally, consider choosing a backpack with wheels so your child has the option to roll their bag instead of carrying it. If your child does carry his or her backpack, stress the importance of using both straps instead of one, and never allow the bag to hang off of one shoulder. Adjust the straps so that the backpack rests just below the neck and two inches above the waist. This way, the weight is kept snug on the back and prevented from sagging below the bottom. When filling the backpack with school supplies, place the heaviest items in first so that they are supported closest to the body, and fill each compartment equally so that the weight is evenly distributed along the spinal column. If your child must lean forward to compensate for the extra weight, the backpack is too heavy. Last but not least, consider having your child carry their lunchbox, instrument, or laptop separately to avoid the strain of including these heavier items in the mix. If your child still complains of back pain at any point during the school year, we offer a free spinal analysis at Grieb Chiropractic Clinic to address the aches and strains life places on a growing body. We can help to reduce back pain in children.

Each of the procedures throughout the appointment will be customized to fit a child’s unique height and weight, and applied gently enough to ensure a comfortable and pleasant experience for even the most nervous patient. Careful spinal manipulation with trigger point therapy will align misplaced vertebrae into the proper position, correcting the results of poor posture from an overburdened school bag. Continue frequent visits year-round to maintain optimum spinal health and guarantee a future of full-body wellness. As your child attends school 9 months out of the year, one visit to our office is not enough to correct the existing problem or prevent future injury. Make chiropractic as routine for your child as bringing a backpack to school. To avoid back pain in children give us a call to schedule an appointment at (724)-935-6050 today!

Chiropractic Care For Children

Spinal nerve stress results from any misalignment of the spine, hips, or cranium (also known as a “subluxation,” or a pinched nerve) that irritates the surrounding nerves and impairs the function of the nervous system. As the nervous system regulates and controls all systems of the body (circulatory, respiratory, digestive, hormonal, eliminative, and immune) a subluxation could debilitate any aspect of your child’s health. The risk of spinal misalignment begins as early as birth. Even the most natural birthing process places stress on an infant’s spine and nervous system, which could result in common complications like colic, breathing problems, sleep disturbances, and nursing difficulties. As your child ages, even every day activities like bike riding may cause subluxations. If spinal nerve stress is not properly addressed and treated during this time, it can leave lasting effects on the health and performance of an adult spine.

Chiropractic care does aim to treat disease, but rather restore the body to normal function and allow it to properly regulate and heal itself. By gently adjusting the spine to correct alignment, this natural form of treatment relieves interference of the nervous system and allows each of the body’s systems to work at full efficiency. Ear infections are one of the most common afflictions that affect young children, and one that responds well to a conservative approach to treatment. Ear infections occur when too much fluid or pressure builds up in the ear canal, and can result in painful soreness, popping or ringing in the ear, difficulty hearing, or fever. These symptoms are often treated with antibiotics or the surgical implementation of ear tubes. However, this type of approach leaves the child vulnerable to the adverse effects of surgery, or at risk of contracting another infection after developing a resistance to the antibiotic. At Grieb Chiropractic, we offer a free spinal analysis in a family-friendly atmosphere that will allow us to identify any subluxations in your child’s spine, and restore his or her body’s systems to full efficiency without the use of antibiotics. Here’s how chiropractic can help.

Spinal manipulation, combined with specific hand contact and gentle stretching, will alleviate the subluxation and position the vertebrae back into correct alignment. These procedures are customized to fit a growing child’s unique height, weight, and spinal condition, and are applied gently to avoid discomfort. With the spine in proper position, particularly the vertebrae located in the upper neck, the excess amount of fluid in an infected ear will be able to drain more easily through the Eustachian tube and remedy the current affliction, as well as prevent future infection by keeping this pathway open and clear.

As previously stated, chiropractic care does not in itself cure disease. Instead, it acts as a restorative and preventative measure that enables the body to work efficiently and heal ailments without antibiotics or invasive procedures. While chiropractic is often only considered after a serious injury or the presence of back pain, it should be a regular part of your child’s routine to ensure a future of full body health and well being. Try chiropractic first. Chiropractic care for children is a call away. Call 724-935-6050 today!