
Headaches are a common ailment for many adults, and now we are seeing it more frequently at much younger ages. But why? First, we need to note that there are many different types of headaches and many different causes. The most common form is a tension-type headache, which can present with or without neck pain, pressure and pain at the back of the head, as well as pain across the forehead and behind the eyes. Why would a child have tension? Mostly because of abnormal posture.
Posture is defined as the position of the body or the position of several parts of the body with respect to each other for a particular purpose. Posture is not, regardless of what we have been led to believe, simply a matter of sitting or standing up straight. Instead, it is the actual and proper alignment of the parts of the body in relation to the spine, and the proper use of the body at all times.
Posture can be affected by many things including minor falls and injuries associated with activities such as sports and playground equipment. These small traumas cause muscle and spinal strain and tightness, which results in nerve pressure and restricted motion.
It can also be affected by sitting for long periods of time at school, computer and tablet usage, and with watching TV or playing video games. The most frequently noticed technology-related postural deviation is tech neck. This is when the shoulders begin to roll forward, causing the head to move forward as well. When you consider that the head is like a 6-10 pound bowling ball, this will result in tremendous strain to the neck and shoulders.
When we have a combination of small traumas and poor posture habits we often have more symptoms that can take longer to heal. Muscles have memory, so the longer a muscle is abnormally tight, or abnormally stretched, it often needs more treatment to correct.
Chiropractic adjustments work to restore proper motion to the spine, relieving nerve pressure and muscle tension. Depending on how long the problem has been occurring, and/or how severe the trauma was, a series of adjustments is often needed to not only relieve the pain but also to stabilize and correct the distortions, and retrain the muscles to move and work effectively again.
Simple steps to prevent tech neck including setting time limits for using devices such as taking at least a 3-minute break for every 15 to 20 minutes of device usage and purchasing a tablet holder to reduce the amount of neck flexion and forward positioning.
It is always a good idea to be proactive about your child’s health, this includes their spinal health. Chiropractors specialize in identifying and correcting postural distortions. Choosing a chiropractor that specializes in pediatric care will not only help your child feel better, but will help your child grow with a healthier spine and nervous system. Curious if chiropractic can help your family? At Rock Chiropractic, we’re happy to help!
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