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Backpack Concerns
More groups are warning about children carrying backpacks. In two February 2001 stories by the Associated Press and PRNewswire, health groups are coming out about the dangers of overweight backpacks being carried by children. Some of the groups who have issued warnings included, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Physical Therapy Associattion, the American Chiropractic Association, and the International Chiropractors Association (ICA) also states that improper lifting and carrying by your child can also contribute to spinal stress.
Some school districts have even begun to address this problem. The Wayland Mass. Public school system has distributed extra copies of some textbooks to middle school children so they don't have to carry as many books between school and home.
To alleviate some of the problems with backpacks Summit Chiropractic Clinic will be conducting "free Scoliosis Screening" for you child during the months of August and September. We will also be selling specialized "airpack" backpacks that relieve some of the weight the children are carrying. These backpack will be special fitted to your child and any proceeds from the sale with be giving to the childs school. Along with the backpack we will be handing out a simple instruction sheet on how your child should wear the pack and the weight he should be carrying, along with another free screening in 3 months.
Please contact us at 783-5805 to participate in our "BackPack Drive" to get your child started off on another great school year with a "lighter" pack and some good information on how to wear their backpack and how much weight they can handle. Your childrens backs are our concern too!
Scoliosis- What Is It?
The Normal Spine
The normal spine provides perfect alignment of all the body parts. A slight curve forward at the neck , or cervical spine, balances the weight of the head and allows a clear channel for the spinal cord and nerves. The curve of the neck plays an important part in determining the overall shape and structure of the rest of the spine, affecting the entire skeleton and its ability to maintain balance.
From a gentle curve backwards in the upper back of thoracic spine, the normal spine again has a slight forward curve in the lower back, or lumbar spine, which bears most of the weight and supports internal organs. In the normal spine, the forward curve of the tailbone, or sacrum and coccyx, aligns with the natural curve in the thoracic area.
Problem Curves
Scoliosis is an abnormal curvature of the spine; it is a spinal disorder, not a disease. Although in its earliest stages it may be very difficult to detect, scoliosis is, in general, characterized by a sideward curve that can produce a raised or dropped effect to shoulder or hips, a prominent shoulder blade, one hip somewhat higher that the other. It may also manifest as an exaggerated curve along the length of the spine. One example is "sway-back," in which the head and stomach are thrust forward, the upper chest area back. It is more pronounced and not to be confused with "poor posture" More easily noticeable is the "humpback," which gives the whole torso a pulled up effect with shoulders raised and humped protrusion of the upper back. In severe cases of scoliosis, the abnormal configuration of the spine can restrict the volume of the chest and abdominal cavities. This can happen to such a great extent that it can cause mechanical interferences to the normal function of vital organs such as the heart or lungs. It is for this reason and this reason only, according to most chiropractors - that surgical intervention is justified. The vast majority of structural scoliosis do not meet this criteria and are done for cosmetic reasons only - hardly justified. The procedure carries great risk and has many undesirable side effects, such as decreased mobility and range of motion of the spine and spinal degeneration.
What Causes Scoliosis?
The root cause of scoliosis is not completely understood. It is true that it may "run" in some families, indicating hereditary factors. Again, it may simply appear as an isolated case in one individual. Scoliosis often appears during early teen years, and pronounced progress can be noticed during periods of rapid growth. However, it is also found in young children as well. Regular check-ups for signs of scoliosis should continue until full growth is reached.
How is Scoliosis Detected?
Visual and manual inspection of the back are simple tests conducted during a check-up. The misalignment of shoulders or hips, or the appearance of a hump in the rib or waist area when the child bends forward, can provide the trained eye an early sign of possible scoliosis. The doctor of chiropractic, with intensive training and knowledge of the spine, is eminently qualified to detect and administer nono-surgical care for scoliosis. Early detection is important to scoliosis care. It is much simpler problem to deal with in youth when the child's body is much more adaptable to change rather than letting the problem fester and become very difficult to correct in adulthood. The chiropractor provides spinal adjustments to correct or, at least, prevent further malformations and attempt to alleviate some of the more debilitating aspects of scoliosis. Summit Chiropractic Clinic will be providing free posture/scoliosis screenings for children under the age of 18 years for the month of October. It is a very important screening that should be performed before the children become involved in their respective sports and activities along with remembering good posture and lifting habits. A chiropractic posture/scoliosis exam should be performed on a yearly basis for early detection of any misalignments of the spine. We encourage you to call with any questions or concerns regarding this important problem and to take advantage of this free screening for your child. Please call us a 783-5805
Posture Watch!
You have heard it time and time again how important it is to sit-up straight, don't slouch and stand straight and tall-but this message is so important we need to say it again! For patients that have long-term poor posture, degeneration of the spine can occur, which potentially causes serious health problems.
We need to constantly remind our growing children of the importance of good posture, because of the long-term effects it will have on their spines. So please take the time to inform your children once again to sit-up straight at home and school, now and in the future!
Time-Out!
With school right around the corner, now is the best time to take a "time-out" and get your athlete in for their spinal adjustment! More and more athletes are discovering the benefits of chiropractic care not only for injuries but additionally for increased performance! Many athletes such as, Emmitt Smith, Warren Moon, Scotty Pippen and John Stockton all realize the importance of a subluxation free body for maximum performance and health! When John Stockton was asked to explain his usage of chiropractic, Johns response was, "I'm not good enough expert on what that (chiropractic) entails, but it's not just adjustments, it's balancing muscles and overall health." John then added, "it's been great for me, and for my family." Try chiropractic! It may be just what "your athlete" needs to perform their best! Give us a call to schedule your first appointment, or visit our website appointment scheduler at Summitchiro.com!
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