Jackson is still young and most of these don’t apply to him just yet but I know that as he grows and becomes more independent there are certain things that I will highly encourage him not to do. Sitting and resting in the positions described below goes against the way our spines naturally grow and develop. Of course, getting adjusted is one great way to promote optimal spinal growth and development but so is practicing postures that help keep our spine in alignment. Just as we make at home recommendations for our patients to help support their care, we do our best to stick to those recommendations in our home as well.
3 Things that, As a Chiropractor, I Won’t Let My Child Do
1. Sit with their legs off to the side and their hips diagonal. Sitting in this asymmetrical position for too long can create a misalignment of the hips and lower back, especially if they are sitting with their legs to the same side every time. Adolescence is a major time of growth and development for your child’s spine and it is important that their posture help promote normal development, not hinder it. A better way to sit is criss cross apple sauce or on a small chair or stool that keeps their hips and knees at a 90 degree angle.
2. Look down at a screen. I’m not saying my child can’t use technology, they absolutely can. But there is a right way and a wrong way to look at a screen. Screens placed below eye level or held on your child’s lap causes their head to look down and their shoulders to round forward. This posture is known as “text neck”. The worst thing a child can do for their developing spine is place a tablet on their lap and spend hours looking at it. The proper way for a child to use technology is to place the screen above eye level or have them hold their cell phone at eye level when texting.
3. Lie down on the couch with their head propped up on one side. Although this might be comfortable in the moment, this can lead to spinal misalignments of the upper neck. If your child is complaining of neck pain or headaches, take a look at their TV watching posture and encourage them to lie in positions that keep their spine in a neutral position. Recliners or sitting on the couch while using an ottoman is preferred.