Correct posture has long been considered more than a body language concern. It can be associated with confidence, a positive demeanor, and health. There’s no wonder why generations of parents have nagged their children about “standing up straight.”
Proper posture is a learned behavior that starts when a baby takes its first steps. Both good and bad posture habits are formed through the toddler years. Posture affects the way a child walks and talks. Bad posture can result in more than just discomfort. Poor posture in a child can cause long-term health issues, including poor blood circulation, chronic aches and pains, stiff joints and limited motion, as well as produce a hunchback.
Correct posture means that the bones and joints in the back, legs, and arms are properly aligned. When a child is standing with correctly they will then have three curves down their back: at the neck, at the upper back, and at the lower back.
Children get bad posture when pulling the shoulders forward or slouching when sitting. Other factors include lack of shoe support, uncomfortable beds, an unhealthy diet, a sedentary lifestyle, and being overweight.
Parents need to avoid letting their children carry backpacks that are too heavy. For tweens and teens, chiropractors recommend that backpack should be no more than 10 percent of a child’s weight. For children under 10 years old it should only be five percent of their body weight. Be sure that the backpacks are being worn properly.
There are several things parents can do to promote proper posture. They should buy shoes that fit properly, provide a comfortable bed, and encourage their children to be active. Exercise
strengthens growing bones and muscles, as does calcium and vitamin D. Taking children for regular chiropractic visits is also a way to make sure the skeletal system is well cared for.
As young children become more active, they are more prone to falling and suffering from a variety of bumps and bruises, which can result in minor spinal misalignments that could impact posture. If left untreated, it could develop into more serious conditions later in life. Chiropractic visits will also help keep the nervous system functioning properly.
Since the nervous system controls the function of the body, any interference to it can have wide-ranging effects beyond posture. In babies, it can manifest into irritability and colic. Then, as the child gets older they may develop poor sleep patterns, digestion problems, and suffer from low energy. Make chiropractic visits an integral part of a child’s wellness plan.
