Chiropractic care is one of the most effective and safest forms of health care to treat pain due to spinal related conditions. (It’s so safe that children are encouraged to be seen by a Chiropractor to avoid future problems) Chiropractic is so effective because most causes of spinal disorders are related to abnormalities of the spine and the surrounding soft tissue structures. Doctors of Chiropractic are specifically trained to identify and treat subluxations (misalignments of the vertebrae) and their subsequent effect on the central nervous system. Anti-inflammatory medication and pain relievers merely mask the symptoms and have many undesirable side effects.
Children
Neck Adjustments Are Safe!
One of the most effective chiropractic adjustments is to the cervical (neck) spine. We adjust children at the office all the time as well, and we just want you to know that our adjustments are SAFE. Virtually every nerve impulse of your body passes through your neck, so subluxations (misalignments) in the neck are have far-reaching effects. Yet, critics have warned that such adjustments are dangerous. That notion has been put to rest!
Sublaxation Quick Tip:
What are the Impacts of Childhood Falls?
Knocks and falls occur all too frequently during childhood, but there is not much we as parents can do to prevent it. Studies show that by the age of seven, a child will have fallen around 2,500 times, and prior to turning three, they will have had three major falls out of a cot, change table, or flight of stairs. Although children possess quite a resilience, this may mask the subtle damage that leads to poor postural and neurological function across time. These understated signs and symptoms can go unnoticed by parents and if left unchecked, can lead to entrenched health problems. It is important to keep in mind that each seemingly insignificant slip and fall our child has does add up, so it is always best to err on the side of caution and take them in for a check-up. In some cases, the minor accidents can subluxate your child’s spine and damage their developing skull. Birth to two years of age is a critical period of brain development, and any disruption from injury can have long-lasting or even permanent effects on the structure and function of the brain. Playground falls are one of the most common accidents and studies have shown that over 200,000 children are taken to the hospital each year to have playground injuries assessed. Undetected subluxations can result in problems later in childhood such as headache and back pain. It is incredibly common for children to experience these symptoms for “no apparent reason,” and these problems can remain throughout adulthood. As adults we may experience a health issue that seemed to happen “out of the blue,” such as our necks becoming stiff when we wake up or our backs giving out when we go to tie our shoe. These common issues are solved best with a Chiropractor, who’s work is gentle, safe, and effective, so it is important that we as parents take in our children after a minor or major fall.
Keep Your Little Ones Active…
In today’s age of health and fitness, more and more kids are involved in sporting activities. Although being part of a football, soccer or Little League team is an important rite of passage for many kids, parents and their children could be overlooking the importance of proper nutrition and body conditioning needed for preventing injuries on and off the playing field.
“The majority, if not all, sports are good, provided that the child prepares appropriately,” says Dr. Carl Heigl, president of the American Chiropractic Association’s Council on Sports Injuries and Physical Fitness. “Without proper preparation, playing any sport can turn into a bad experience. There are structural and physical developmental issues that need to be taken into consideration before children undertake certain sports.”
Highly competitive sports such as football, gymnastics and wrestling follow rigorous training schedules that can be potentially dangerous to an adolescent or teenager.
The best advice for parents who have young athletes in the family is to help them prepare their bodies and to learn to protect themselves from sports-related injuries before they happen.
“Proper warm up, stretching and weight-lifting exercises are essential for kids involved in sports, but many kids learn improper stretching or weight-lifting techniques, making them more susceptible to injury,” says Dr. Steve Horwitz, an ACA member from Silver Spring, Maryland, and former member of the U.S. Summer Olympics medical team. “Parents need to work with their kids and make sure they receive the proper sports training.”
“Young athletes should begin with a slow jog to warm up the legs and arms and stretch all the major muscle groups,” says Dr. Horwitz. “Kids involved in football, baseball, gymnastics and swimming should develop a routine that includes strengthening exercises for the abdomen, the low-back muscles, arms and shoulders.”
Proper nutrition and hydration are also extremely vital. “A student athlete may need to drink eight to ten 8-ounce glasses of water for proper absorption. Breakfast should be the most important meal of the day. Also, eating a healthy meal before and after practice or a game allows for proper replenishment and refuels the body,” adds Dr. Horwitz.
Young athletes today often think they are invincible. The following tips can help ensure your child does not miss a step when it comes to proper fitness, stretching, training and rest that the body needs to engage in sporting activities.
Encourage your child to:
- Wear the proper equipment. Certain contact sports, such as football and hockey, can be dangerous if the equipment is not properly fitted. Make sure all equipment, including helmets, pads, and shoes, fit your child or adolescent. Talk to your child’s coach or trainer if the equipment is damaged.
- Eat healthy meals. Make sure your young athlete is eating a well-balanced diet and does not skip meals.
- Avoid high-fat foods, such as candy bars and fast food. At home, provide fruit rather than cookies, and vegetables rather than potato chips.
- Maintain a healthy weight. Certain sports, such as gymnastics, wrestling and figure skating, require your young athlete to follow strict dietary rules. Be sure your child does not feel pressured into being too thin and that he/she understands proper nutrition and caloric intake is needed for optimal performance and endurance.
- Drink water. Hydration is a key element to optimal fitness. Teenage athletes should drink at least eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day. Younger athletes should drink five to eight 8-ounce glasses of water.
- Drink milk. Make sure your child has enough calcium included in his/her diet. ACA recommends 1 percent or skim milk for children over 2 years old rather than whole milk because of its high fat content. The calcium in milk is essential for healthy bones and reduces the risk of joint-and muscle- related injuries.
Avoid sugar-loaded, caffeinated and carbonated drinks. Sports drinks are a good source of replenishment for those kids engaged in long-duration sports, such as track and field. - Follow a warm-up routine. Be sure your child or his/her coach includes a warm-up and stretching session before every practice, game or meet. A slow jog, jumping rope and/or lifting small weights reduces the risk of torn or ripped muscles. Flexibility becomes a preventive key when pushing to score that extra goal or make that critical play.
- Take vitamins daily. A multi-vitamin and Vitamin C are good choices for the young athlete. Vitamin B and amino acids may help reduce the pain from contact sports. Thiamine can help promote healing. Also consider Vitamin A to strengthen scar tissue.
- Avoid trendy supplements. Kids under the age of 18 should avoid the use of performance-enhanced supplements, such as creatine. Instead, they should ask their coach or trainer to include weekly weight-training and body-conditioning sessions in their workout.
- Get plenty of rest. Eight hours of sleep is ideal for the young athlete. Lack of sleep and rest can catch up with the athlete and decrease performance.
- Sluggishness, irritability and loss of interest could indicate that your child is fatigued.
Chiropractic Care Can Help…
Doctors of chiropractic are trained and licensed to treat the entire neuromusculoskeletal system and can provide advice on sports training, nutrition and injury prevention to young athletes.