Back to School

Published: 21 Jan 2025

Back to School, Back to Basics: Why Chiropractic Care is Essential for Your Child

As a parent, you want your children to have everything they need for a successful school year.  From the right school supplies to healthy lunches. Right?

But there’s another crucial aspect of your child’s back to school checklist that you might not have considered: chiropractic care.

As the new school year begins, children return to daily routines.  And these often involve carrying heavy backpacks and spending long hours sitting in classrooms.

These activities can put significant strain on young spines, leading to discomfort and even chronic pain. Chiropractic care can play a vital role in addressing these issues, ensuring your child remains comfortable, focused, and ready to learn.

The effects of backpacks

Carrying a heavy backpack, particularly if not worn correctly, can lead to poor posture and misalignments in the spinal column. These misalignments not only cause back and neck pain but also influence overall health and well-being.

Chiropractic adjustments help correct these misalignments, promoting better posture and optimal nervous system function. This is crucial for children as their bodies are still developing, and early intervention can prevent minor issues from becoming more severe.

Tips to reduce the effects of back packs:

  1. the weight of the backpack (loaded) should not be more than 10% of the child’s weight (no matter their age).  Work out if they really need to carry all that stuff back and forward to school.
  2. the backpack should fit-when sitting with the backpack on, the top of it shouldn’t protrude over the top of the shoulders.
  3. wear both shoulder straps, sternum strap and waist belt.  ALL! THE! TIME!
  4. load heavier items closer to the spine.
  5. Check it’s the right size.  When your child sits with the backpack, the top of the backpack should protrude over your kid’s shoulders.

The effects of sitting

Also prolonged sitting can lead to stiffness and reduced mobility in children. Regular chiropractic check-ups help maintain spinal health and enhance mobility by ensuring the spine is aligned and all body parts are functioning harmoniously.

This preventive approach is beneficial in keeping your child active and preventing the onset of pain or discomfort that could distract them from their studies.

More things you can do to prevent the effects of sitting:

  1. exercise can minimise the effects of sitting.  Guidelines suggest 3 hours of movement per day with a minimum for 1 hour vigorous activity.
  2. encourage an upright posture while sitting.
  3. minimise the amount of time sitting-while it might be difficult to get kids to stand or walk regularly while in class, discourage sitting longer than an hour is good practice.  Avoid sitting more than 2 hours per day especially while engaged in sedentary activity like looking at screens.

As we gear up for another school year, consider incorporating chiropractic care into your child’s routine. It’s not just about managing pain—chiropractic care is about enhancing your child’s daily function and health. By ensuring their spinal health is prioritized, we’re not just setting them up for a great start to the school year, but also for a healthier future.

Ensure your child starts the school year right by scheduling a chiropractic check-up. It’s a simple step that can make a big difference in their academic and overall well-being.  Call 6652 4025 now to book your appointment.