medications

Early Detection of Scoliosis in Children

Scoliosis is a significant lateral deviation in the normally straight vertical line of the spine. The spine should have a perfectly straight line up and down the back which is visible when you stand behind your child. If you see a bend in that line along the spine it may indicate a sideways shift of the spine.

Did You Know?

  • Infantile scoliosis occurs between birth and 3 years of age. This form is more common in boys and can show up as a left curve in the mid back.
  • Juvenile spinal curvature occurs between the ages of 3 and 10.
  • Adolescent scoliosis occurs after the age of 10. Girls at this age are more likely to develop this than boys.

The Two Main Groups of Scoliosis

Scoliosis is classified into two main groups:

Non-structural Scoliosis

Non-structural scoliosis can occur as a result of posture problems, hips and leg length irregularities, pain, nerve root irritation and disc problems as examples. This occurs in the spine as a result of something happening in the body.

Structural Scoliosis

Structural scoliosis is a direct result of something going wrong with the spine. This can range from improperly developed spinal vertebrae to tumors within the spine.

The Main Jobs of the Spine

Your spine has two main jobs to do:

  1. Provide upright position and anchor all the back muscles for movement.
  2. Protect the spinal cord and allow the nerves to exit the spine with no pressure or interference.

 A properly functioning spine allows the body to work at optimal health. Changes in the curvature of the spine can cause nerve compression and decrease nerve signals to the organs resulting in symptoms.

Early detection, diagnosis and treatment are extremely important for your child’s health. If you have any questions or concerns, please call or come in to see our Chiropractor Dr. Darren Poncelet.

 

-The M&Y Team

 

parents. helping the elderly

Halloween Safety Tips

Happy Halloween everyone! Halloween is one of the most exciting and fun nights of the year. We all know that kids look forward to putting on their costumes and dressing up as whoever or whatever they want for the night. But with the excitement of the night also comes potential danger. Did you know that twice as many child pedestrians are hit by vehicles on Halloween than on any other day of the year?

Now we don’t want to scare you into wanting to keep your child home this Halloween, but it is important to make sure that safety is your number one priority on this night more than ever. Here are some tips to keep your children safe while out trick or treating this year.

Safety Tips for Halloween

  1. Help your child pick out a costume that will be safe. It should be fireproof, and the eye holes should be big enough for the child to see out of!
  2. If you set jack-o-lanterns on your front porch, make sure they are far enough away from children’s costumes. A good idea is using glow sticks or battery-operated candles as opposed to regular candles which can be purchased at most of your drug stores and any other party stores.
  3. If your child is carrying a prop, like a sword, knife or a pitchfork, make sure the edges are rounded and smooth in case of a fall.
  4. Kids always want to help with pumpkin carving. There are many kinds of child safe pumpkin knives that can be purchased. For smaller children, only have them clean out the pumpkin and draw a face and let the adult do the cutting.
  5. Treating your kids to a spooky Halloween dinner will make them less likely to eat the candy that they collect before you have a chance to check it for them.
  6. Know the route your kids will be taking if you aren’t going with them.
  7. Let your children know not to cut through back fields and alleys.
  8. Make sure your child carries a flashlight, glow stick or has reflective tape on them so that they are visible by cars.

Healthy Halloween Alternatives

Nothing screams “Halloween” like candy, chocolate, and other sweet treats. However, it is always a good idea to try and stray away from these treats and more towards healthier alternatives. Below are a few substitutions to give out this Halloween:

  1. Granola bars and fruit bars are a healthy alternative to chocolate bars and candy.
  2. If the kids must have chocolate bars, make sure you stick to the snack sized bars.
  3. Some candy bars actually have less fat and calories than others, so pay attention to the labels.
  4. Some other healthier snacks include:
  • Small boxes of raisins
  • Fresh fruit
  • Snack size bags of animal crackers
  • Pretzels
  • Fruit to-go rolls
  • Mini juice boxes
  • Crackers and cheese packs

 

We hope everyone has a safe and happy Halloween this year!

Til next time,

-The M&Y Team

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Back to School Backpack Safety

It’s that time of year again, kids are back to school, and that means it’s time to discuss backpack safety! They will be loading up with books, cell phones, iPods and whatever else kids find the need to carry in those bags that often appear that if you added one more item the kid carrying it would fall right over.

Backpack Safety: Pack it Light and Wear it Tight

According to the Ontario Chiropractic association, chiropractors are suggesting that students “pack it light and wear it right”. According to the OCA, backpacks that are too heavy or worn incorrectly can be dangerous to a child’s back, neck and shoulders. By the end of the teen years, more than 50% of youth experience at least one low back pain episode. This may be due in part to improper backpack use…

The following few suggestions should help you choose the right backpack for you or your children. And remember… if you see your child lying on their back like a turned-over tortoise, chances are that the pack is just too heavy! And kids, do not forget, using your backpack as a weapon (like hurling it at your little brother) can be hazardous to one’s health.

Step One: Choose Right

Choosing the right size backpack is the first step to safe backpack use!

Tip: Bring a family member or friend to help you measure your backpack properly. Choose a pack that has thick, wide straps – straps that are too narrow can dig into shoulders interfering with circulation and nerves.

Step Two: Pack Right

The maximum weight of the loaded backpack should not exceed 15% of your body weight, so only pack what you need. Also, pack neatly so items are less likely to slide around and create discomfort.

Tip: If the backpack forces the wearer to move forward to carry, it’s overloaded. Choose a backpack with multiple compartments to evenly distribute weight.

Step Three: Lift Right

Face the pack, bend at the knees, use both hands and check the weight of the pack. Lift with the legs. Apply one shoulder strap and then the other.

Tip: Don’t sling the backpack onto one shoulder.

Step Four: Wear Right

Use both shoulder straps – snug, but not too tight.

Tip: When the backpack has a waist strap – use it. The waist strap helps distribute the weight evenly. Slinging the pack over one shoulder can strain muscles.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. My back and neck hurt after wearing my backpack. What should I do?

You should let your parents know about the pain you feel. Pain is a signal from your body telling you something is wrong. You should consult your family chiropractor or other health care practitioner immediately.

2. I have too many books to carry. What should I do?

Lighten your load by removing any unnecessary items. Carry a heavy book or two under your arm.

3. Do I have to wear both shoulder straps and the waist strap?

Yes, because the shoulder straps help you distribute the weight evenly between your shoulders and the waist strap helps to stabilize the load, preventing possible injury during movement.

If you have questions about your child’s backpack safety and/or back pain, you can call our clinic and speak to me.

–Dr. Darren Poncelet, B.Sc., D.C.