Chiro for Kids

The new school year is upon us! Let's help your children to a pain-free school year. Consider these tips to prevent the aches caused by the daily stresses that the kids endure.

 

1. Backpack type and size - The pack should have two padded shoulder straps. If possible, the pack should have a waist &/or chest strap to distribute pack weight across body. The pack size should span from the shoulders to just above the waist line. 

 

2. Packing the backpack - Heaviest items should be deepest into the pack (closest to the body). Leave unnecessary items out of the pack… try not to over pack!

 

3. Wearing the backpack – Packs should be used with both shoulder straps. Once on, the shoulder straps should be tightened so the pack stays high upon the spine.

 

4. Study position – When studying at the computer, ears should be above shoulders with the shoulders back and upright. The spine should be flush against the back of chair with feet comfortably on floor.

 

With text book studying, have the book standing upright against a book stand or against the back wall. This allows the head to be in an upright position instead of looking down (chin towards chest).

 

5. Complement posture – A complement is always better than nagging, especially when it comes to posture.

 

5. Watch the time – Take a standing break every 30-45 minutes. Standing reduces pressure upon the spine and allows movement vital to muscle circulation and joint lubrication.

 

6. Stay active – It is essential for children to get physical activity. Strive for 60 minutes of activity everyday with the activity of choice.

 

7. Stretch – Yes, kids need to stretch too! Just because their young doesn’t mean that stretching is not essential. Try a kid’s yoga class or just teaching them a few easy ones to start.

 

8. Sleep positions – Keep tabs on the kids sleep positions. Sleeping on the stomach with the head rotated to one side is the WORST position to be in and causes the most neck and back pain.

 

9. Maintain alignment – Keeping up with maintenance Chiropractic care aids in allowing the kids to stay pain-free and for proper growth through the developing years. 

Backpack Saftey Guide

An ounce of pervention is worth more than a pound of cure. This is especially true with children and the pains caused by their backpacks!

 

Recent studies have shown that 64% of children suffer from back pain. Most cases can be traced to overloaded or ill-fitting backpacks or other school bags.

 

Think about how often your child wears a backpack. As the days of school and weight of the packs increase, the wear and tear on their body accumulates.

 

Learning to load, wear, and use a backpack properly is important so your child feels good today and can avoid long term problems.

 

Use this helpful guide for pain-free school days and prevention of chronic problems caused by heavy and improper backpack usage.

 

Surveys show that approximately 55% of students carry backpacks that are too heavy. The AAOS (American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons) recommends that a child shouldn't carry a backpack that exceeds 15%-20% of their body weight.

 

Backpack Maximum Weight Chart for Children

Weight of Child (lbs)

Max Backpack weight (lbs)

50-60 lbs

5 lbs

60-75 lbs

10 lbs

75-100 lbs

15 lbs

100-125 lbs

18 lbs

125-150 lbs

20 lbs

150-200 lbs

25 lbs

According to the American Chiropractic Association, AAOS, American Physical Therapy Association.

 

Heavy backpacks can results in:

-       Neck pain

-       Headaches

-       Shoulder tension

-       Mid back pain

-       Scoliosis

-       Lower back pain

-       Poor posture

 

Experts recommend that a good backpack should have the following features:

- Lightweight construction.

- Padded shoulder straps.

- Padded back, part of bag against child's back.

- Waist belt, chest strap, and multiple compartments to distribute weight more evenly.

- Size of pack should not be larger than the child's back.

 

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, nearly 28,000 strains, sprains, dislocations and fractures from backpacks were treated in hospital emergency rooms.

 

The American Occupational Therapy Association offers the following tips for keeping kids safe while toting books to and from school:

Packing

- Place the heaviest items furthest in the bag so items are closest to the body.

- Remove unnecessary items.

- Use all compartments to distribute weight.

Lifting & Wearing

- Pick up bag properly, by bending at the knees before lifting and using both hands.

- Use both straps.

- Tighten straps so bag is at its hightest point of the back.

 

Lastly, most parents never think to get their children a chiropractic checkup. But, understanding the importance of the spine and nervous system is a crucial part in allowing them to grow and develop to their full potentials. For your child's chiropractic check up, give us a call at #(808) 948-8722!

Congratulations to Kailer & Kade on their 2012 Junior National's Judo Gold medals! Keep it up boys!

Brandon & Shannon staying adjusted and on top of their soccer games!

How Heavy is Too Heavy?

Experts recommend that children carry backpacks that weigh 10 percent or less of their body weight and no more than 15 percent.

 

A good backpack should have the following features:

- Lightweight construction

- Two wide, padded shoulder straps

- A padded back, for comfort and injury protection

- A waist belt and/or chest belt, with multiple compartments to distribute weight more evenly.

 

Lifting and wearing tips:

- Children should be taught to pick up their bags properly, by bending at the knees before lifting and using both hands.

- Keeping straps tight will help with proper fit.

- Remind children to use all of the backpack's compartments to distribute weight.

- Place the heaviest items, such as textbooks, furthest in the backpack and closest to the body.

- Prevent carrying of unnecessary personal items that add weight.

 

Check out these articles for more information on BACKPACK SAFETY:

 

http://www.pressbanner.com/view/full_story/19910888/article-Your-Health--Backpack-safety?instance=home_communit

 

http://www.freep.com/article/20120729/FEATURES08/307290072/Choose-backpack-that-won-t-weigh-a-kid-down

Kids Need Chiropractic, Too!

Back and neck pain don't just affect adults, although often they're the ones who seek treatment. What about our children who also suffer? Don't they deserve the same attention from the health care provider who can best address their pain – a doctor of chiropractic?

 

Back and neck pain are prevalent in our society and can strike at any time. If you think children are somehow immune, think again: According to a recent study that tracked the incidence of back and neck pain from childhood to adolescence, one in 10 children (age 9) suffer from neck pain and one in three suffer back pain. The percentages dip a bit at age 13, but then climb dramatically by age 15.

 

Here's what the research shows:

 

  Percentage Reporting Neck Pain  

  Percentage Reporting Back Pain  

Age 9: 10%

 Age 9: 33%

 Age 13: 7%

 Age 13: 28%

 Age 15: 15%

 Age 15: 48%

That's right: By age 15, nearly one in six adolescents report neck pain and nearly one in two report back pain.

 

Now that's a serious health issue requiring serious solutions.  Back and neck pain affect people of all ages; that's the bottom line.  If your children haven't seen a doctor of chiropractic yet, there's no better time than now - regardless of whether they're complaining of pain in the back, neck or elsewhere.  After all, preventing pain before it starts is the secret to lasting health and wellness.  And don't your children deserve that as much as you do?

 

To Your Health / June, 2012 (Vol. 06, Issue 06)

 

'Back' to School Tips

1. Learn how to pack a back pack properly.  Place the largest and heaviest items furthest into the pack and the lightest items at the outer aspect.

 

2. Tighten the back pack straps tightly so the pack is placed high upon the spine.

 

 

3. Make sure kids wear both back pack straps.

 

4. Periodically check your childs posture while using the computer or reading from text books.  You're checking for 'Forward Head Posture'.  See our "Video" page for more info.

 

5. Reserve time for physical activities if your child is not active in organized sports.  A minimum of 1 hour per day will help them burn calories and help them focus.

 

6. Prepare for whole and balanced breakfasts.  Stick with fruits, eggs, granolas, yogurts, and cereals that are natural.  Avoid heavy breakfasts' that are high in sugars, artificial flavoring, coloring, additives, and preservatives.  These additives are shown to complicate focus and learning.

 

7. Lastly, get your kids their chiropractic check-ups.  There's no substitute for a healthy nervous system.  It's the system that controls their brain function, growth and development, and immune system function.

    CONTACT US AT       #(808) 948-8722

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Moiliili Professional Bld.

 

2525 South King St., 

Suite 304

Honolulu, HI 96826

 

(3rd floor of

"Down to Earth"

Natural Food Store)

 

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