Posture is a subject that has gone by the wayside. It is not talked about as much however it still has a lasting impact on our health and development. One of the most important age groups to prioritize posture is teens. As they grow and their spines continue to develop, proper posture and muscle development are key to help reduce neck and back pain they may be currently experiencing and for the future.
Common Things that Impact Teen Posture
1. Technology: Especially in the form of cell phones and tablets, presents a daily impact on our lives and the lives of teens, More than ever, children, teens and young adults are experiencing headaches, neck pain and upper back pain more than before. In my office, this is the top reason people are seeking chiropractic care. Many teens are spending up to 9 hours per day on their phones.
2. Backpacks: Many teens carry backpacks improperly and ones that are loaded with too many textbooks; these factors can lead to excessive pressure on their spine and contributing to poor posture, back pain and long-term posture issues such as overly tight muscles. Backpacks should only weigh between 10-15% of your body weight. To put it in perspective, a male fifteen year's average body weight is 125 lbs., which means that their backpack should not weight over 18 pounds.
3. Breast Development: As teen girls grow; breast development can become a cause of back pain. The increase in size can lead to carrying weight in a different way and impact the spine and muscles needed to support them.
4. Scoliosis. This is a curvature of the spine that can cause stress on the spine, lead to imbalanced muscles and stress on joints.
5. Sports Injuries: Teens often experience a variety of injuries from sports in the form of falls, tackles, sprains or strains and fatigue from sports which can result in stress on their spines and joints.
Chiropractic Care & Teens
With their continuous growth, chiropractic care is a great non-invasive method to aid in their development. Before any adjustment is performed, we will sit down to discuss the issues they are having, what their life and daily habits and schedule look like and get to the root of the issue. Then a thorough exam is performed including spinal posture analysis, orthopedic and neurological exams.
If it is determined that x-rays are needed, we will recommend a local diagnostic imaging center those can be completed. Once we receive the x-rays, we will schedule an appointment and go over the results, explanation, and a recommendation for care.
Adjustments help to realign the spine, remove nervous system function barrier and allow the body to heal as it is designed to without interference. They also promote proper alignment which can help to decrease muscle tension, aches and pain and relieve headaches.
In addition to the adjustments, exercises and stretches may be prescribed to help strengthen weak muscles or to relax tight muscles that may be affecting their posture. This is usually demonstrated and gone over during the appointment and recommended on a daily or weekly basis to aid in improving function and posture.
We see a variety of ages in our clinic from children, teens, adults, and seniors. We have appointment times after school to help accommodate various schedule or even before school as well. If you would like to schedule an appointment with us, give us a call at 405.825.4533 or email us at info@roamchiropractic.com.
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