What is Poor Posture in Kids?
Modern technology has been extremely helpful and convenient, but it hasn’t come without its costs. Unfortunately, postural problems in children have reached epidemic proportions in modern life. Children spend far too much time being sedentary, hunching over electronic devices in unnatural positions.
Poor posture occurs when unnatural positions of the body put stress on different joints, muscles, or ligaments. This excessive pressure can cause pain and a variety of health problems. Unfortunately, because they are still growing and developing, posture problems in children can pose some significant health risks that can last into adulthood. The best way to deal with the problem is to nip it in the bud.
Signs and Symptoms of Poor Posture In Kids
The first signs of poor posture are usually visible. A child with poor posture may hold his head too far forward, may slouch or have hunched shoulders, the neck may be rounded or sloping forward, the lower back may be curved, and, in more extreme cases, the knees may bend slightly when walking.
Other symptoms from poor posture may include pain in the neck, shoulders, or back; headaches; fatigue; digestive problems; constipation; or breathing problems.
How the Upper Cervical Spine Affects Kids’ Posture
When there are postural problems, the root is usually in the upper cervical spine. This is the most vulnerable part of the spine, located just below the skull and running through the neck. This part of the spine is responsible for the movement of the head and neck, carrying the weight of the head, and protecting the spinal cord where it connects to the brain stem.
When a child hunches over a keyboard or video game controller, cranes his neck forward to text or watch videos on his phone, or slouches back into a chair for long periods, it can put a strain on the uppermost vertebrae that make up the upper cervical spine.
When the upper cervical spine is misaligned, it has a domino effect on the rest of the body. This can cause inflammation and swelling or may disrupt signals between the brain and the body’s major systems. As the body shifts to compensate for the misalignment, it puts undue pressure on other joints and ligaments. It causes some muscles to overstretch, and others to grow tight and short. For a child, all these issues can interfere with the body’s musculoskeletal development.
How Our Upper Cervical Spine Treatment Works for Poor Posture In Kids
At the Upper Cervical Chiropractic of Boulder, our doctors use safe, gentle, non-invasive treatments to help correct the problem and put your child on the road to healthy development. Dr. Christina Coblish and Dr. Ryan Moeskau are specialists in the Blair Chiropractic Technique, which focuses on the natural treatment of the upper cervical spine.
Unlike the abrupt twisting and cracking commonly associated with chiropractic methods, the Blair technique is gentle and swift so that children (and parents) will feel safe and comfortable. Examinations begin using advanced 3D diagnostic tools to assess the health of a child’s upper cervical spine. With precise calculations, the doctors can pinpoint any misalignment, taking the guesswork out of corrections so that treatment is more precise and effective.
After a child’s initial corrections, you might wish to make regular appointments as part of your child’s overall healthcare routine. Chiropractic check-ups can be a great preventative measure for a host of issues caused by postural problems. Call our office for a consultation; we cover the areas of Boulder, Longmont, Louisville, Erie, Lafayette, Broomfield, and Denver in Colorado.