What is Poor Posture in Kids?
Poor posture is becoming increasingly common amongst young children and teenagers. Characterized by slouched shoulders, a hunched neck position, and/or forward tilt of the head, poor posture is caused by many factors. Some of the most common causes include a lack of physical activity, an inability to breathe naturally, poor sleeping habits, and prolonged screen overuse.
Unsurprisingly, the increasing rate of postural problems in kids is correlated with the modern proliferation of smartphones, tablets, and other handheld devices.
Signs and Symptoms of Poor Posture
The most obvious signs of poor posture are rounding or hunching in the shoulder and neck region. If you’re trying to detect poor posture before it becomes a problem, look out for the following signs: a hunched back, shoulders pulled forward, rounded shoulders, anterior pelvic tilt, or a forward head position. You might also notice that your child becomes tired more quickly, has difficulty focusing, or frequently complains of back and/or neck pain.
Left untreated, poor posture in children and teens can cause a variety of problems, from chronic back pain and migraines to poor circulation and impaired lung function.
How the Upper Cervical Spine Affects Posture
The upper cervical spine (the section of the spine between the neck and skull) is responsible for maintaining and stabilizing the natural curve of the spine. As a result, injuries to the upper cervical spine can have a cascading effect on the alignment and function of the rest of the spine.
For example, if your child has sustained a disc or whiplash injury along the upper cervical spine, the curve of the spinal column can be tilted and shortened by a vertebral misalignment. This, in turn, makes the spine susceptible to further injury, tightening stabilizer muscles in the neck and encouraging the development of poor posture.
How We Treat Poor Posture in Kids
Our treatment program for poor posture begins with a comprehensive physical exam to identify misalignments in the upper cervical spine. If a misalignment is detected, our expert chiropractor, Dr. Bello, will perform a series of gentle, non-invasive chiropractic adjustments to restore the natural alignment of the upper cervical spine. Before commencing the adjustment process, Dr. Bello may use digital X-rays and cone-beam computed tomography scans to pinpoint the exact angle and location of the misalignment in question.
If you think your kids are showing the early signs of postural problems, a good chiropractor may be able to address the issue before it becomes a more serious problem. Our office delivers upper cervical chiropractic care to patients in the Greater Los Angeles Area.
