Category: Family Care

Although children are smaller than adults, and their bodies are still growing and developing, parents tend to weigh them down with backpacks that are far too heavy and unbalanced. Lower back pain is the most common health issue suffered by Americans and in many cases, it all starts in childhood with those oversized backpacks. No parent wants their child to suffer so listen to the advice of a Sterling chiropractor when it comes to proper child backpacks.

Selecting a Backpack

The first order of business is to select a backpack that will be supportive and won’t put undue stress on any part of a child’s body. Child backpacks should be made of lightweight material and be proportionate to the size of the child’s body. Buying large backpacks with the thought of fitting more into it will only cause problems.

Look for backpacks that have several individualized compartments to help you balance out the weight effectively. Padded shoulder straps that are at least two-inches wide and a strap that goes around the waist are also features to look for when making your purchase.

Packing the Backpack

When packing the backpack, distribute the weight evenly and try to ensure it weighs less than 15% of the child’s bodyweight. If it is too heavy the child will bend forward slightly to try and counterbalance the weight on the shoulders. The heaviest items in the backpack should be packed closest to the body and if it isn’t necessary leave it out.

Wearing the Backpack

When a child is wearing a backpack the shoulder straps should be adjusted so that the pack is close to the body. This will distribute the weight of the pack evenly over the spine and prevent misalignment. It’s important that kids use both of the straps on the backpack so the weight distribution remains equal. You should also show your child how to bend at the knees to pick up the backpack and instruct him not to twist or bend at the waist while wearing it.

Potential Issues

For some reason we don’t seem to think that children are at risk for the same types of physical issues as adults when it comes to wearing heavy backpacks. Most Sterling chiropractors will tell you this isn’t true and that children can suffer from many of the same issues as adults. Regular use of a heavy backpack can result in:

• Back and shoulder pain
• Numbness and tingling in the arms
• Poor posture
• Reduced blood flow
• Headache and neck pain
• Distorted natural spine curvature
• Muscle strain caused by overcompensation

Wearing an improper backpack sets the stage for a host of physical problems later in life. If you’re not sure how to proceed or your child is already showing some of the above symptoms contact our team at Alternative Wellness Clinic today.

There are over 6 million children born in the United States, over 14% of these births come with some sort of complication. So, not only is labor painful enough, but there are always risks that may occur. There are several ways to minimize these risks, including exercise, proper nutrition, supplementation, as well as chiropractic care at our Sterling chiropractic office.

When a woman is pregnant changes within the body occur immediately. All of these changes are to support the life that is growing inside the woman. Pregnancy, as beautiful of an event as it may be, can cause the mother a certain amount of discomfort or pain. During the first trimester, morning sickness is a very common experience. This occurs due to the increase in hormone levels and the growth of the placenta.

With the extreme rise in hormone levels and the growth of the placenta, the liver is working significantly harder which can create a lot of stress on the organ. By receiving care at Alternative Wellness Clinic, we will work to eliminate any stress on the nervous system and optimize the function of the liver, compensating for its increased work load.

Headaches are also a common symptom during the first trimester of pregnancy, but are known to last throughout the whole pregnancy. There are several possible reasons for this, including misalignment(s) within the neck and upper back, dehydration, stress, in addition to sugar and caffeine withdrawal. Through chiropractic adjustments, proper nutrition, and a healthy sleep cycle these headaches can be greatly reduced or eliminated.

During the second trimester the “baby weight” begins to show and the mother’s body has been undergoing physical changes to accommodate this weight. If you already have misalignments within your spine it is very possible for a pregnancy to exacerbate the symptoms causing headaches, acid reflux, constipation, diarrhea, or pain. Throughout the pregnancy, the pelvis is shifting forward changing the lower back curve. This is supposed to happen but if you have a misalignment within your lower back or spine already, this could create substantial pain and complications.

The real benefits of chiropractic care during pregnancy can be seen when a woman goes into labor. The average length of labor is 10 ½ hours. First time mother’s receiving chiropractic care can experience a 24% decreased labor time and mothers that have had children can experience a 39% decrease in  labor time. Most importantly, woman that have been receiving regular care often do not find a need for drugs during delivery because they have been able to better prepare their body for the experience.

Complications during pregnancy can be minimized or even avoided with total prenatal care. This includes:

• Chiropractic care
• Exercise
• Proper nutrition
• Supplementation
• Drinking lots of water
• Plenty of sleep

At Alternative Wellness Clinic, providing health care is more than our job.  Instead, it’s our passion to care for mothers as they await the arrival of their little miracle. Our passion doesn’t stop there either! We are also here to ensure that your child(ren) grow and develop with the best possible health, allowing them to reach their optimal potential.

If you have any questions please feel free to call our Sterling chiropractic team today.

There is a big debate over the merits and safety of having chiropractic treatment during pregnancy. Some people claim that it is dangerous to both the mother and the developing baby, while others say it is safe and provides a variety of health benefits.  The truth is that mothers that receive chiropractic care tend to have an easier pregnancy and delivery.  This article from our Sterling chiropractic office will help to provide you with the information you need.

Chiropractic and Pregnancy

Just as it is safe and beneficial for infants, toddlers, teens and adults, chiropractic is also safe and beneficial during pregnancy. There is no danger to the baby and the benefits for the mom-to-be are quite substantial. Most Sterling chiropractors that go through the proper training, and have all of the required education to be licensed and practicing, have been trained to treat pregnant women. Some chiropractors specialize in adjusting pregnant women which means they may have more experience, but the majority have the necessary skills and knowledge.

Any woman that has been pregnant knows the stress that is put on your back, neck, hips, and knees. Even performing everyday tasks becomes a challenge as the uneven weight distribution can pull certain areas out of balance. Having regular chiropractic adjustments during your pregnancy will relieve much of the added stress placed on your spine, and can prevent nerves from being compressed and causing pain, numbness or tingling in your back, hips, legs, arms, or fingers. Since your posture is continuously changing as your belly grows, regular adjustments may also help with any imbalances this might create.

Tips You Can Follow

Chiropractic adjustments are great to keep your body balanced and feeling great during pregnancy, but you can do a lot to help yourself. Exercises like walking and swimming will keep the blood flowing and keep your muscles working during the course of the pregnancy. It’s important to stay safe, so check with your doctor if you’ve been inactive prior to becoming pregnant.

Avoid wearing heels while you’re pregnant because you’ll be less steady and they can accelerate any postural imbalances you might experience. Stick with flat sensible shoes whenever possible. Also be sure to observe proper lifting techniques for children or other objects. Bend from your knees at all times and if it seems too heavy, ask someone else to lift it for you.

To remove pressure from your lower back while sleeping, lie on your side with a pillow between your knees. If you have to sit at a desk during the day, use a footrest to take pressure off your feet and legs and try not to sit for longer than 30 minutes at a time without getting up and moving around. Schedule chiropractic treatments after you give birth to help with the healing process, as all your muscles, tendons, and ligaments are returning to normal.

If you have any further questions feel free to contact our Sterling chiropractic team at Alternative Wellness Clinic today.