Chiro
Kids
A Few
Words...
...about
the health and well-being of your children
Falls,
bumps and bruises ... do they affect
my
child's long-term health?
The
answer is YES! Most misalignments of the spine occur before
the age of 10 and get progressively worse with time if left
untreated. As you well know, falls and injuries are very
common to children. Learning to walk or ride a bike, wrestling
with other children, even being tossed up in the air by
loving parents can all lead to misalignments of the bones
in the spine. These misalignments are called subluxations.
Subluxations of the spine result in nerve damage and loss
of proper function and health. (See more information in
our About Chiropractic Section). In addition to the aforementioned
symptoms, theses misalignments along with poor posture and
childhood muscle imbalances may lead to scoliosis, which
may continue to progress throughout adolescence. Chiropractors
across the nation help thousands of children each day with
safe, natural care.
How
can I improve my child's overall health? When can I begin?
With
regular chiropractic check-ups, a child will be allowed
the opportunity to correct misalignments of the spine (subluxations)
in their early phases before permanent damage can occur.
Children should have their spine checked immediately after
birth (especially in a traumatic birth such as a forceps
delivery) and then at least 2-4 times a year until fully
grown. (This number will vary from child to child). It is
also important for a child's spine to be chiropractically
evaluated before participation in a new sport such as football,
basketball, tennis, soccer, or gymnastics as most subluxations
that occur in this age range musculoskeletal trauma related.
I
can see how chiropractic care has helped me,
but why does my child need it?
Children
need chiropractic care for the same reason as adults --
to restore proper alignment of the spine and allow proper
functioning of the nervous system. In fact, children will
benefit to a greater extent by chiropractors than adults.
The reason for this is that subluxations are detected early
before they progress into higher levels of damage. If it
is determined that your child needs care they will almost
always need it at a lesser amount than their adult counterpart.
Just as a childhood fracture heals almost twice as fast
as the adults, their body will hold the adjustment much
better and sooner than the adult spine. Chiropractic care
at an early age can allow children to grow up with their
bodies functioning at higher levels.
Home
Screening Test
The
tests listed below can help indicate to you that your child
needs chiropractic care. These home tests in no way replace
a proper examination by your chiropractor. These tests and
many others will be used at Osborne Chiropractic Clinic
to fully evaluate your child. If any of these tests are
positive, give us a call to schedule a check-up or to ask
further questions about your child's health, and we are
more than willing to work concurrently with your family
physician.
Shoe
Test: Have
your child bring you a pair of their shoes. Hard soled
shoes will work best for this test. Examine the heels
to see if one heel is worn out more than the other. If
so, this can indicate pelvic imbalance do to a subluxation.
Leg
Check Test: This
test can be done easier with your child's shoes on. Have
your child lay on the floor on their back. Kneel down
by your child's feet and gently grasp the bottom of the
shoes. Gently pull both legs a few inches towards you
and bring your child's feet together. Is one leg longer
than the other? If so, this is an important clue to a
larger problem.
Posture
Test: This
test should be performed with your child barefoot. Having
his or her shirt off may help as well. Standing directly
behind your child place your finger at the top of each
hip. Is one higher than the other? Next, look at the shoulders.
Is one shoulder higher than the other? They should not
be. Next check to see if your child's head tilts to one
side of the other. Imbalances in any of these three areas
are abnormal.
Scoliosis
Test: Now
step behind your child. Look at the muscles on your child's
back. Is one side more developed than the other? Next
run your fingers down the bumps in your child's spine.
Does it curve to one side or the other? The spine should
be relatively straight.
Growing
Pains: If your child complains of growing
pains, please listen as this may be an important clue.
Your child may have a pelvic/low back subluxation, or
misalignments in the bones in the leg or the feet. If "growing
pains" were normal why does, as in many cases,
only one leg have the problem, and why don't all kids
have them? If one or more of these signs exist in a
child 16 or under please call and make an appointment
today. At Osborne Chiropractic we offer a free exam
and x-rays (when indicated) to any child whose parent
performs these tests. Just tell us you found a positive
web site test.
Osborne
Chiropractic Clinic
Raleigh
Chiropractic Clinic Location
5603 Suite 101, Duraleigh Road • Raleigh, North Carolina 27612
Rolesville Chiropractic Clinic Location
258 Southtown Circle • Rolesville, North Carolina 27571
© 2006 All Rights Reserved.
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