At Cranbourne Chiropractic the health of your child’s spine is important. As children return to school, it is important that parents of school aged children look at the quality and fit of their child’s backpack, as heavy, incorrectly fitted and badly packed school backpacks can lead to spinal health problems as your child grows.

Spinal health is crucial at any age and items like heavy backpacks may cause strain and discomfort to the spine. I believe spinal pain can be attributed to a number of factors, and heavy and incorrectly worn bags may also lead to poor posture, slouching and uneven hips.

The relationship between spinal health and carrying a heavy backpack may also depend on additional aspects such as your child’s age and weight. 

If you’re worried about your child’s backpack weight, here are a few lifestyle and backpack modification tips:

What to look for in a backpack: 

1. Make sure the backpack is the right size for your child, no wider than their chest and below the
   hollow of their back
2. A moulded frame on the back, that when adjusted fits their spine.
3. A bag made from a light weight material like canvas, with two padded straps
4. Adjustable waist and sternum straps
5. Separate compartments that allow for easy packing and weight distribution

How to carry the backpack in a spine safe way:

1. Ensure that the weight of the backpack is no more than 10% of your child’s weight when packed.[1] Only pack essentials to lessen the load, perhaps use school lockers if available.
2. Pack the heaviest items closest to the spine and make sure all zippers are done up all the way.
3. Secure the sternum and waist straps (they’re there for a reason)
4. Always wear both straps. Tell the kids it’s not cool to ‘one-strap it’ anymore.
5. Reduce the time spent wearing the backpack to no more than 30 minutes at any one time.

Another tip is to ensure your child is undertaking 60 minutes of moderate physical activity every day, as a part of correct spinal care.

[1] Chen YL, Mu YC. Effects of backpack load and position on body strains in male schoolchildren while walking. PLoS One. 2018;13(3):e0193648. Published 2018 Mar 21. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0193648

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Bottom Line:

Traveling long distances on planes, trains, and automobiles is a common side-effect of the holidays, and the stress of all this holiday travel can be overwhelming. Lifting heavy suitcases, hopping in the car for a 13+ hour drive, or even getting the middle seat on an overbooked flight can lead to awkward neck positions and that all too familiar worn down feeling. It’s no surprise that many people experience increased neck pain and shoulder tension during the holidays, so what can you do about it besides turning into the Grinch and staying home? Well, new research tells us that you’ve made a smart decision in visiting our office for help.

Why it Matters:

No one should have to rely on dangerous medications to get through the holiday season. Even some of the most common over the counter medications have a laundry list of potentially harmful side effects. If you are experiencing neck pain and shoulder tension, Chiropractic care is a top alternative. Researchers have found that adjustments can drastically reduce neck pain, improve mobility,and reduce the overall levels of stress on our musculoskeletal system, which means you can feel better without having to reach for a bottle of pills.

• Chiropractic adjustments can reduce the stress response triggered by our nervous system.
• Reduced pain, improved rang eof motion, and fewer muscle spasms are often reported following Chiropractic care.

Next Steps:

For many of us, travel is a part of our yearly holiday tradition. As much as the trip can be hard on our bodies, it’s important to visit with friends and family. We want you to have the best holiday season possible, and if you plan on traveling this holiday season, let us know! We would love to show you a few simple stretches and exercises you can do to help you stay well between your adjustments. Give us a call or stop in today. Happy holidays!

Science Source:

Cerebral metabolic changes in men after chiropractic spinal manipulation for neck pain.Alternative therapies in health and medicine. November 2011

Glucose Metabolic Changes in the Brain and Muscles of Patients with Nonspecific Neck Pain Treated by Spinal Manipulation Therapy. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Volume 2017

The post It’s the Holidays, Don’t Panic! appeared first on Cranbourne Chiropractic Blog.

The range of causes for the common headache varies from neck, sinus, dental and eye problems to metabolic and hormonal disorders.

Because headaches are so common, most people think that getting a headache is a normal part of life.  This is simply not true.  Headaches are a sign that something is wrong.

Chiropractic is fast becoming a recognised health choice in the care of headaches providing a natural, drug free treatment with proven results.

One study, conducted at Macquarie University, specific chiropractic adjustment to the spine significantly reduced migraines in 71 per cent of the people surveyed.  The frequency, duration, severity and amount of medication all decreased markedly.

Essentially, Chiropractic care is effective in headache management because it corrects imbalances in the neck and spine which are often the cause of headaches.  Chiropractors can use specific, gentle spinal adjustments to correct the imbalances to alleviate headaches and can also provide lifestyle advice on helping to prevent their re-occurence.

At Cranbourne Chiropractic we assess your spinal health and provide the Chiropractic care needed to get you functioning properly again.

Call 9581 2624 or book online at www.cranbournechiro.com.au

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