Tips for back-to-school spinal health for your kids

School is back in session for 2022. Not only does this mean another year of knowledge, it also means another year of students lugging around heavy backpacks day after day. Couple this with the stress of striving for success and you’ve got a recipe for chronic aches and back pains at a young age.

Carrying backpacks loaded with heavy textbooks, binders, and folders can inhibit the back’s natural development. Combined with posture challenges like sitting all day in class and hunching over a computer doing homework, your child might need some support—especially in these formative years. That’s where chiropractic comes in.

Chiropractic is a safe way for students of all ages to address some of the cumulative problems their posture might be subjected to each school day. It could be instrumental in combating back conditions that might otherwise follow your child through life.

1. Lift properly

Just like any other lifting, it’s important to be mindful of posture when picking up a backpack. Instead of reaching over and awkwardly curving the spine, use the legs to create leverage when lifting. Show your child how to put the pack behind themselves, put the arms through the straps, then use their legs to stand. Avoid slinging it quickly around the shoulders.

2. Use both straps

Many kids think it’s cool to use a single strap when carrying their backpacks. Unfortunately, while this might look cool, it’s a quick way to create unnecessary stress on the shoulders, neck, and spine. Wearing both backpack straps means the weight is more evenly distributed and ensures that additional stress isn’t placed on the spine. It may not look the coolest, but it’s better than chronic pain!

3. Keep the backpack light

While it’s important to take necessary school items, make sure your child limits other items in the backpack. They may also be able to take textbooks to class on alternate days or leave them at school when they don’t have homework. The aim of the game is to lighten the load, to make it more manageable on the spine.

4. Tighten the straps

If the backpack is hanging low, the straps aren’t tight enough. Make sure straps are secure on the shoulders and fit with the spine to create proper support. Loose-hanging backpacks cause gravity to work against the spine, which means exerting more effort to keep the pack in place.

5. Limit time wearing the backpack

Let’s face it: kids don’t often think ahead. Instead of thinking about which book they need for their next class, their minds are elsewhere. For most kids, the simplest solution is to carry everything, all the time. As you can imagine, this is unhealthy for the spine and not good for posture. Instead, encourage your child to use their locker or cubbie, so they don’t have to carry that heavy backpack all day long.

If your kid is experiencing back, neck, or shoulder pain, MGDodge Chiropractic is here to help. We’ve seen the damage that students suffer when their backpacks are filled to the brim. Contact us today to learn more about how to limit the stress on your kid’s spine.

ATV riding and spinal health

There has been a startling increase in injuries and mortalities from the use of ATVs. Not only is it because ATVs have become more for recreational fun, but it also is attributed to the production of larger, faster, and more powerful ATVs. Commonly, people who use or even own an ATV do not realize how powerful and dangerous these vehicles can be – even if you know how to safely operate one.

Chiropractic Care can Help ATV Injuries

Most ATV-related injuries include: deep, soft-tissue trauma and fractures/dislocations. Other injuries related to ATV accidents include:

• Headaches
• Nausea
• Dizziness
• Fatigue
• Lack of sleep
• Trouble breathing
• Soreness/tension in various regions of the body
• Sprains/Fractures
• Low back injuries
• Neck injuries
• TMJ problems
• Reduced range of motion
• And many more…

Trying to “just deal with” the pain can lead to more complications in the future. It is important to seek treatment even if you do not feel like your symptoms and injuries are bad.

What does this have to do with Chiropractic?
Chiropractic care is a safe and effective way of treating patients who have suffered from an ATV accident. Chiropractic care uses a hands-on, drug-free approach to helping people, which includes examination, diagnosis, and treatment. Chiropractic care focuses on treating the entire body, not just a “quick fix”.

At MG Dodge Chiropractic, we are an easy commute for people in Lewis County, Carthage, Watertown, Booneville, Turin and Fort Drum. We use rehabilitative and therapeutic therapies, as well as spinal adjustments to get your overall health and well-being back.

Knowing how to stay safe will help prevent future injuries on your ATV. Be sure to include chiropractic care in your prevention program. Regular chiropractic care can help ward off vertebral subluxations and related disorders.

Does my Chiropractor need x-rays of my Spine?

In order for a chiropractor to better diagnose your condition, they will need to take a look at what’s going on underneath the surface. X-rays are one of the most widely used diagnostic tools in chiropractic care. Seeing what is happening more closely will allow your chiropractor to better understand your situation, making it possible for them to come up with a more accurate diagnosis and a treatment plan that will be specifically catered to your condition. If you still aren’t convinced that chiropractors need x-rays, keep reading! This article may prove otherwise.

Chiropractic processes

If it’s your first time getting chiropractic care, you need to know that the biggest element of chiropractic care is diagnostic testing. Chiropractors will use multiple techniques in order to best understand what is going on so that they can identify the source of your pain. X-rays are the diagnostic tools most widely used because they allow the chiropractor to see more deeply into your body and internal layout.

X-rays can be invaluable tools dor diagnosis

Chiropractors will use x-rays as a way to get a better idea of a patient’s condition or injury. Through an x-ray, your doctor will be able to pinpoint the exact place that might be having issues and where your pain emanates. They will be looking for any spinal misalignment and any other related injuries in order to diagnose your condition accurately. By knowing exactly what is wrong, your chiropractor will also be able to determine what is needed for treatment.

They will be able to decide the frequency and intensity of care needed for a full recovery. Knowing about or finding any other spinal issues that you might have not been aware of can also help you improve your overall health since they will be able to treat that as well. It is important to diagnose and treat these symptoms as soon as possible because it may just fix whatever else might be wrong with your body. A lot of the time, simply realigning your spine can make a huge difference in the way that you feel.

What we’re looking for in imaging

An x-ray of your spine can give a Chiropractor a clearer view of your spinal health, especially after a car accident. Any abnormalities will be spotted. Your chiropractor will be able to make adjustments and provide treatment to any preceding issues that might have gone untreated. The spine is the most important part of your body, and an x-ray will allow the doctor to see if there are any complications that need to be fixed before any treatment is carried out for your main issue.

X-rays can also help Dr. Dodge find any bone spurs, cancerous spots, or fractures that can worsen in time or with adjustments. An x-ray may also allow the doctor to see any important characteristics that might be unique to you, such as bone spacing and density. These diagnostic tools also help chiropractors during treatment.

They can be a great visual representation of progress made from treatment. Being able to re-examine the alignment and motion of the spine is all part of the treatment process, and x-rays will help by being physical proof that all is working as it should be. They will also be great for before and after pictures to show treatment progress.

If you feel an X-ray might help Dr. Dodge diagnose and treat your pain better, you’re in luck! M.G. Dodge Chiropractic has a state-of-the-art x-ray unit at our office in Alton. Be sure to mention you read this article when you stop by for your next appointment and Dr. Dodge would be happy to show it to you.

Everyones first question: is it safe?

Chiropractic care is the health maintenance of the spinal column and the adjustment of misaligned joints. It doesn’t involve drugs or surgery. Instead, it’s a kind of physical therapy to reduce spinal nerve stress and promote health throughout the body.

More than 1 million chiropractic adjustments are given every day, all over the world. Complications are rare. During pregnancy, chiropractic care is believed to be safe. But there are certain circumstances where chiropractic care may not be a good idea.

Always get your doctor’s approval before seeing a chiropractor during pregnancy. Chiropractic care isn’t typically recommended if you’re experiencing the following:

• vaginal bleeding
• placenta previa or placenta abruption
• ectopic pregnancy
• moderate to severe toxemia

While all licensed chiropractors receive training related to pregnancy, some chiropractors specialize in prenatal care. Ask if they specialize in this area, or get a referral from your doctor.

To adjust pregnant women, chiropractors will use adjusting tables to accommodate their growing bellies. All chiropractors should use techniques that won’t put pressure on the abdomen.

Chiropractors can also show you effective stretches for relieving tension and easing discomfort.

How can chiropractic care help during pregnancy?

There are many hormonal and physical changes you’ll experience during your pregnancy. Some of these will have an impact on your posture and comfort. As your baby becomes heavier, your center of gravity shifts, and your posture adjusts accordingly.

These physical changes during your pregnancy can lead to a misaligned spine or joints.

Other uncomfortable changes during pregnancy might include:

• a protruding abdomen resulting in an increased curve of your back
• changes to your pelvis as your body begins to prepare for labor
• adaptations to your posture

Regular visits to a chiropractor during your pregnancy can address these issues. One collaborative chiropractic and medical study revealed that 75 percent of pregnant chiropractic care patients reported pain relief. Plus, adjustments designed to re-establish balance and alignment to your pelvis and spine will do more than just make you feel better. Chiropractic care can be beneficial for your baby, too.

Dr. Kristin Bezek of our Sodus Office is uniquely trained in prenatal chiropractic care. If you have any questions or concerns about this issue, feel free to call our office and talk directly with her at (315) 498 0243, or stop by at 8479 Ridge Rd., we’re happy to help answer any questions you might have.

_{Excerpted from “Chiropractic while pregnant” originally written for HEALTHLINE.com. Read the full article here.}