DON’T LET SCHOOL BE A PAIN IN THE BACK

As parents begin preparations to send children back to school, the chiropractors at Karrinyup Wellness Centre would like to remind them that heavy, poorly fitted and packed backpacks may lead to spinal health problems in children.

The Karrinyup Wellness Centre advises parents that spinal health problems can often go unnoticed. However, poor posture, back pain or “growing pains” need not become an accepted part of everyday life for your child.

“When choosing a backpack for your child, choose one that allows for even distribution of weight across the back. Otherwise the backpack can place unhealthy stress on a child’s spine.”

School can be a challenging time for any child, so ensuring they are as comfortable as possible is important for their physical and mental development.

Dr Barry Smith said, “Despite the increased use of technology in schools, schoolchildren still overload their backpacks with textbooks, sports and other gear or simply do not wear them correctly.”

Five simple tips for wearing a backpack:

1. Pack the heaviest items closest to the spine
2. Make sure all the zips are done up
3. Secure the sternum, waist and compression straps
4. Always use both shoulder straps
5. Don’t wear the backpack below the hollow of the lower back

There are up to 300,000 patient visits to Australian chiropractors each week. Chiropractic care is concerned with the diagnosis, management and prevention of mechanical disorders of the musculoskeletal system, and the effects of these disorders on the function of the nervous system and general health.

Chiropractic is a low risk profession with an enviable safety record in Australia, a result of evidence based care delivered by five year university educated healthcare professionals.

For more information on maintaining a healthy spine, please visit the website of the Chiropractors’ Association of Australia at www.chiropractors.asn.au.

Call the Karrinyup Wellness Centre on 9341 3020 to book your child in for a Complimentary Postural and Spinal Assessment today.

Jan 17, 2017 By Dr Barry Smith

B.Sc. (Chiro), B.Chiro(Hons), I.C.S.S.D. DOCTOR OF CHIROPRACTIC

Dr Smith is one of the directors of Karrinyup Wellness Centre where he has been practising since 2007. He graduated from Murdoch University with honours and has worked in multi-disciplinary clinics that emphasise paediatric and family care around Australia as well as here in Perth.

In practice, Dr Smith treats families, pregnant mums and children. His enthusiasm and energy give him the ability to work with, engage and captivate the children under his care. He has broad training in a range of chiropractic techniques and extensive training in Neural Organisation Technique and Applied Kinesiology.