As we approach the coming school year, we head off to the
stores and malls to buy school supplies.
Of course, most kids have outgrown most of the clothes they finished the
last school year in just a couple of months ago. And then, there’s the usual array of binders, pencils, paper and
of course the trusty backpack.
If your kids are anything like mine, it almost seems like
they need a pack mule to carry all their new supplies to school. And, it seems like the book bags and
backpacks get bigger every year. At the
same time we’ve tried to get a backpack that’s big enough to carry everything,
we could be setting our kids up for future posture problems and potentially
scoliosis and other health problems.
I don’t know about your kids, but mine seem to grow like
weeds. The minute you turn your back,
they seem to grow an inch before you can turn back around. While it’s not quite that dramatic, they
really do grow rapidly. Then, somewhere
around middle school most kids have what’s called a growth spurt where they
actually grow even faster. Girls
usually have their growth spurt earlier than boys. Hmmm. Maybe there’s a
link between earlier growth spurts and a higher incidence of scoliosis in girls
than in boys.
Here’s the problem.
At a time when kids (especially girls) are growing rapidly, they’re also
saddled with as much as 20-30 pounds of books, papers, etc. in their book
bags. And as we all know, most of those
bags are typically carried over one shoulder or the other. It’s like strapping a bowling ball to the
top of a little pine sapling. Surely,
it will bend under the weight. Your
kid’s spine works the same way. Now,
imagine that little pine tree growing in that bent over position. As it grows, it will grow in that same
position. So, too, will your child grow
to develop posture problems by carrying a heavy load of books on a regular
basis while their bones are still softer and growing.
How can you tell if your kid is developing posture
problems? Actually, there are a couple
of ways. First, simply look at them
from the back and then from the side.
As you observe them from the back, see if their head tilts from one side
to the other or if one shoulder is higher than the other. The slightest difference can indicate a
problem that could get even worse over time if not corrected. Have them bend over at the knees. If you can see that one side of their back
is higher than the other, there may be what’s called a functional scoliosis. Finally, have them turn so their side is
facing you. As you look at them you
should be able to almost draw a straight line from their ear, through their
shoulder, hip, knee and ankle. If you
can’t see that straight line, there’s a potential problem that should be
addressed before it gets worse.
So, just what kind of problems might posture problems in
kids lead to? First, bad posture can
lead to structural problems that can lead to chronic pain and soreness in the
neck, middle and lower back. Second, it
will lead to uneven stresses on the spine and potential degenerative back
problems as they get older. Finally,
stress on the spine can also cause stress on the spinal cord and central
nervous system. When that happens,
there’s always the potential for a variety of chronic health problems.
So, what can be done to prevent and correct these
potentially harmful effects on your kids as a result of heavy backpacks and
book bags? Obviously, I think every
child should be checked for postural problems at an early age. Many times these problems can be prevented
with attention, exercise and good habits.
Family chiropractors that see kids can recognize the problem and, in
many cases, slow down or reverse the problem if dealt with early. While the kids might not like it, buy a book
bag with rollers and an extendable handle or one that will distribute the
weight load evenly. And finally,
pressure should be put on school systems to reduce both the size and quantity
of books a child should be required to carry home from school. These days, most families have a computer at
home. School systems should make books
available on DC (compact disk) to lighten the physical load of carrying
books.
Your kids’ posture and health are worth the extra
attention. Don’t let them grow into
health problems that could have been prevented with a little attention.
Dr. Tim Langley is a chiropractor, economist and
business consultant. He lives and practices in Marietta, Georgia, a suburb of
Atlanta. Dr. Langley writes on issues that relate to health, business, personal
development, economic development and politics. He is also the developer of
“The Membership Practice". You can find out more about Dr. Langley at his web
site http://www.langleychiropractic.com
or through his blog at http://drtim.wordpress.com
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