Head Up, Shoulders Back, May Is Correct Posture Month

Does your son slouch at the dinner table? Does your daughter carry a heavy backpack over one shoulder? Do your children spend hours on end hunched over a computer keyboard surfing the “Net?”

Correct Posture Month is being sponsored by the American Chiropractic Association (ACA) in May to encourage parents to learn about ways to alleviate the problems poor posture can cause.

“For years, parents have told their children to ‘stand up straight,’” said Dr Della M. Schmid, of Colonial Chiropractic Centre. “While standing up straight seems like an obvious way to correct poor posture, there are so many other activities that make up a child’s daily routine that can have an impact on their health. Your doctor of chiropractic can give you tips to help encourage correct posture all day.”

To help encourage a healthy spine not only during the Correct Posture Month, but all year long, the ACA and Dr Schmid recommend these tips:

When lifting a your baby, always support his or her back and neck with your hands. Pick up an older child by grasping his/her body under both arms. Use an approved car seat that supports a baby’s head and neck. Make sure the child safety seat is appropriate for the age and size of the child.

Provide a firm bed for your child. When choosing a mattress, look for one that is comfortably supportive. Although the very firm mattress used to be in vogue, Dr Schmid says the new industry trend toward “selective support” is best. Selective support allows one to press down one area of a mattress, leaving other areas unaffected.

Be selective when choosing a pillow for older children. A pillow should not be so thick that it causes a child’s head and neck to be propped up or angled sharply away from their body.

Make sure the straps of a child’s backpack are padded and worn over both shoulders, not just one. Also, the contents of the backpack should not weigh more than five to ten percent of the child’s body weight.

Be sure a child’s workstation is ergonomically designed for his or her size. Most workstations are fitted for the adults in the family. Position the computer monitor so the top of the screen is at or below the child’s eye level, and make sure the chair at the workstation fits the child correctly. Place a footrest or box under the feet.

If a child is involved in sports, make sure all equipment, including helmets, pads and shoes, fit the child properly. If a teenage child is involved in soccer, make sure they are taught how to “head” the ball properly. A young child should not use the heading technique at all, according to ACA experts.

 Make sure children have enough calcium included in their diet. ACA recommends one percent or skim milk for children over two years old, and whole milk for those younger than two. The calcium in milk is essential for healthy bones and reduces the risk of joint and muscle-related injuries.

 Make sure children avoid sugar-loaded, caffeinated and carbonated drinks. Instead, encourage them to drink plenty of water. Caffeine can dehydrate youngsters, and the high levels of phosphorous in sodas and other carbonated beverages can interfere with calcium absorption – a problem that could lead to osteoporosis down the road.

 Finally, make sure children eat a well-balanced diet and get plenty of rest. Consult with your chiropractor about supplements that might be appropriate for your child’s stage of growth.

For more detailed information on the importance of correct posture or any of the tips mentioned above, call Dr Schmid at 426-5500. The American Chiropractic Association can be reached at 800-986-4636 or by visiting the ACA Web site at www.acatoday.com.