There is a common misconception that chiropractic care is only for certain age groups or injuries. In actuality, chiropractic services can offer major benefits for children as well as young adults. As back-to-school season is getting underway, children and teenagers will be subjected to all sorts of stresses and issues that can lead to neck and back pain as well as other health ailments.
Physical Development and Puberty
The spine of a child develops rapidly in the first 18 years of life. Puberty kicks that physical development into overdrive. The body produces various hormones that cause the body to rapidly grow, stretch and change. As these changes are occurring, the muscles and spine can fall out of alignment and cause pain or discomfort.
Chiropractic care can help alleviate the symptoms and pain related to physical development that can occur in teenagers from age 13 to 19.
Extracurricular Activities and Sports
The body of the average teenager who participates in extracurricular activities and sports is put through an incredible amount of stress. Even with training and practice, injuries can and do occur on a very regular basis. Highly competitive sports such as football, wrestling and gymnastics have excruciating training regimes that can be potentially dangerous as well.
Chiropractic care for youths who are engaged in sports or high-impact activities can help prevent and alleviate many of these injuries. Chiropractic doctors are trained in the care of the neuromusculoskeletal system and can provide advice to teenage patients on how to properly warm up before a game, nutrition and injury prevention.
Easing Stress in Children and Teens
Stress affects almost every single person on a daily basis. Children and teenagers are no different. Exams, friendships and even home life can cause undue stress amongst today’s youth. While their bodies are young and resilient enough to handle the stress, it can still lead to negative health issues such as back and neck pain, sleep issues, depression, and even migraines. A trained Seattle chiropractor can help alleviate it by gently manipulating the back and spinal areas.
School Life
Backpacks can cause premature back and spine issues as well. As children carry their books to and from school, their backs can get out of alignment due to the extra heavy weight. Overweight backpacks can:
- Lead to rounding of the shoulders
- Distort the natural curves in the lower and middle back
- Cause irritation to the spine joints and rib cages
The average child/teenager sits in their desk for five to six hours per day. Studies have shown that sitting for an extended period of time can lead to many health issues. Researchers at Texas A&M proved that by having children stand at their desks all day long, it slowed the increase in the BMI of elementary school children. BMI is a key indicator in childhood obesity.
Children often fare far worse than adults who sit in an office chair for eight hours a day. The adults can get up, walk around the office and visit with co-workers every hour or so. Children in school are not afforded this luxury and often find themselves sitting for upwards of two hours at a stretch.
Make an Appointment for Your Child at a Seattle Chiropractor
Dr. Scott and Anne Petett have years of experience helping youths and teenagers stay healthy and safe. In his spare time, Dr. Scott Petett is a team doctor for Lindbergh High School and has started a sports exam program dedicated to helping youths stay safe while participating in sports.
At Petett Chiropractic, we can help alleviate stress and pain in children and teenagers. Our proven techniques can help prevent sports injuries from occurring and help heal injuries that already have. Give us a call (425) 277-2225 or schedule an appointment for your child or teenager before the start of the school year.