It’s a little known fact throughout our lives our spines comprise 40% of our entire length/height. At birth a baby’s spine is, on average, just 9.6 inches long. In our first year of life, our spinal columns grow another 50% and by age five our spines will have grown roughly another 20 inches. From age 5-10 our spines will add nearly another 4 inches to its length and then by the time puberty ends our spines will have grown an additional 15 to 20 inches. This amazing growth rate accommodates and helps govern all of the other changes in our bodies while we are growing. It therefore stands to reason that the health of our spinal columns is extremely important.
Formation Of Natural Spinal Curvatures
Spinal curvature is still forming and completely natural in newborn babies. In fact at the time of our birth our spines for a “C” shape. By the time we are 3 months old and capable of raising our heads, our spines form a reverse C shape. When we begin sitting and standing our lower backs also adopt this lordotic shape. By the time we’ve become toddlers our spines have taken the shape they’ll remain in for the remainder of our lives.
Trauma Of The Spine
The process of birth is not only strenuous on the mother but the emerging baby experiences a great deal of stress as well. Making matters worse, unnatural and unnecessary force is often placed on mother and baby during delivery. These forces not only cause discomfort for both mother and infant but can cause spinal trauma in babies too. An infant’s spine can be damaged when force is used and as a result the child can experience trouble crawling and walking well into adolescence. This can be a real cause for concern for both parents and their athletic teenagers.
Caring For Your Child’s Spine
Our spines are subject to a great deal of stress and trauma from our first day until our last day though these are at their highest from birth through our teen years. That being said, it’s important to ensure that while they are under the care of their parents, a child’s spine is properly cared for. Chiropractors often recommend regular care for infants, children, and teenagers. A child who sees a chiropractor regularly will enjoy better health growing up, have better mobility, and will have fewer physical issues to deal with than those that do not. While adult spinal health is indeed important, spinal monitoring and treatments while children are growing is of the utmost importance.
Checking Your Child’s Spinal Health
Chiropractors recommend that infants, toddlers, children, and adolescents all see them at least twice a year. This frequency allows them to find small problems before they become big and painful problems and help children live healthily and happily while they grow. If you’re interested in scheduling an appointment for your child or should you have questions about our Chiropractic services be sure to contact us today!
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Chiropractic and Children Articles
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