Back to School Prep and Chiropractic Care

by Karlynn L. Benson, D.C.

It’s almost time for the Minnesota State Fair, and that means parents are shopping for back to school supplies, and kids are savouring the last few days of summer. Chiropractic care should also be on your mind. Let’s review additional wellness help so your kids are ready to hit the books. 

The Proper Backpack

Did you know backpacks are the leading cause of back and shoulder in children and adolescents? Choosing the right pack is key to helping to prevent injuries. 

When looking for a backpack, choose one that has:

• Two padded adjustable straps  
• A padded back 
• Chest and waist straps 
• Multiple compartments 
• And is lightweight

Back to School Sports 

All kids, and especially those in sports, should have a chiropractic evaluation before the season begins. Then, they should continue care throughout the season, to pinpoint any potential injuries before they become an issue.

There is a tendency for kids to want to focus on one sport. But parents should encourage a broad spectrum of sports. By developing their overall body, they will help to prevent over-playing and over-training problems. And, remember, children need their rest time. 

Kids fall down and have injuries, but chiropractic can help with prevention education, structural adjustments and can help them from more severe injuries. Check out our fall sports post for more information.

Back to School and the Scoliosis Evaluation

Once the kids are back in school, they will usually experience a scoliosis evaluation. This simple forward bending exam looks at the curvature of the back in order to identify scoliosis.

Regular visits to your chiropractor can help detect spinal curvatures early, allowing evaluation and treatment to start before the curvature worsens. Several studies have documented the advantage of chiropractic treatment on children and teens who have scoliosis.

Just like scheduling a back-to-school physical, remember to schedule their back-to-school spinal evaluation. And, here’s to a healthy new school year!