Posture Perfect Kiddos
The choices made in the first years of life have a major impact on the health of your child, especially with regard to the development of their posture. Proper postural habits from a young age will help to prevent common postural distortion patterns that kids experience throughout the developmental stages.
A recent study was conducted to evaluate the prevalence of spinal degeneration in young children. The study concluded that children as young as 10 years old are demonstrating visual spinal degeneration on diagnostic imaging. Dr. Francis Smith, who led the research, comments, “We have found some spinal degeneration much earlier than we would have suspected… Proactive measures should be taken early in life, even before puberty. ”
Postural imbalances lead to spinal degeneration, which over a lifetime can cause physical symptoms such as neck pain, back pain and headaches. To prevent postural distortions it is important to adopt good postural habits and lead a balanced lifestyle. For example, starting at the age of 6 years old children carry heavy backpacks to school everyday, sit at their desks for prolonged periods of time, then go home and watch TV or play video games with improper posture.
Adults are not much better; whereas children are postural victims of the school system, adults tend to be postural victims of their career. Make the decision to improve the posture, and thus the health, of your family today!
Help your child have better postural habits and literally save your child from a future of back pain. As Dr. Francis Smith claims, corrective actions to prevent postural distortions and low back pain should be implemented at an early age. If you aren’t sure where to begin, start by implementing these 5 steps!
Postural Hygiene: How to Prevent Postural Distortions
- Every child should have a postural examination by the age of 6, serving as a benchmark for subsequent postural analyses.
- Children should then undergo a postural analysis at least once per year for early detection of postural distortions or signs of scoliosis.
- Children in school should take frequent posture breaks where they get up and stretch their spine (this also helps them stay focused on their school work).
- Children should not carry backpacks that exceed 10% of their body weight, this causes stress to the spine and back muscles.
- Limit the amount of time your child is allowed to watch TV and play video games. Set a time limit on TV time; then go enjoy invigorating activities as a family.
