Is Your Child at Risk? - Juniper publishers
Journal of Trends in Technical and Scientific Research
Keywords
Posture problems, Back pain, Cavities, Whispering, Giggling, Slouching, Beautifully, Slender
Opinion
Posture problems in youth is rising right under your
nose. Are you a parent reading this article? Do you suffer from neck or
back pain after a long day at work? Headaches maybe? Did you wake up
with pain? Maybe you didn’t, but the other 65% of working population
did, dose and do go thru their days in discomfort. You don’t stop eating
because you are afraid of cavities? Then why do you expect the
millennial to give up their smart devices? How many children do you see
already in poor state of health? How many do you know personally? Just
like cavities, using smart devices puts us at risk. It’s not about “What
is wrong?” it’s about how are were reacting to it individually? What is
the compelling reason to make a change before becoming the victim of
the consequences?
Let me share a personal story
It was a hot summer day, their laughter echoed like
angles singing, Tina, Melisa and Helen, the 14 year old splashing around
the pool as the parents Barbecued and talked sports. Tom was watching
his Tina, with a smile of joy, with his cousins. As a doctor her knew
the long hours was rewarded by watching his family joyful. The girls
stood outside the pool, whispering and giggling, he noticed Tina is
standing a bit crooked, and is really slouching compared to his cousins.
It caught his eye, the smile change slowing to an objective analysis.
He watched Tina walk to grab towels from the other side of the garden
when he knew something is off, she IS crooked. What happened? He calls
his wife, Fay, a protective Jewish Mom, who despite work, social life,
and community involvement monitored her children like mother bear. He
turns to her with fearful concern, “What is going on with Tina?” she
proudly replies, “I know she is growing up so beautifully, she reminds
me of my self at her age, tall and slender.” as she flaunts her hair
with a smile. he looks at her, “what the hell are you talking about,
look at her pelvis, her back, it’s not right!”
Fay, wide eyed looks at her, then at him.” “Tina,
sweetheart come here, come here!” Uninterestedly and dutifully, she
walks over with her head and neck forward, long wavy hair covering her
slender thin body, and rounded shoulders. Fay watches her daughter’s
hips, posture, and remembers how she is more introverted with others,
how her baby is all crooked in her bikini. This can’t be happening, Fay a
doctor herself, immediately dose a posture analysis, “Stand up
straight” she checks her Head, ears, shoulder blades, Back, Pelvis, Hip,
Knees. “Turn around honey”. John stands there and looks at her daughter
and wife, a unsettling feeling of concern wraps around his stomach.
Tina’s head is 6” over her shoulders. Her right scapula is notably
rotated back, and her right pelvis is 3” higher than the left side.
“Mom, are you done. Girls are waiting for me?” Fay and John look at each
other in concern, Fay, eagerly says; “Honey we’ll make an appointment
with Romina she is her god-daughter. She will take care of her”.
I greet my best friend Fay and Tina, (as smiled and
thought, love these girls, last time they visited my Clinic was when she
was 4 years old. Then she fell of the kitchen counter). They usually
see the local Chiropractor, only urgent matters start with me. I know
there is a problem! We walk to the exam room. Fay shares her concern
about Tina’s posture and how in past year she has been laying on her
beanie bag, creating movies, playing games and doing her homework on her
laptop. She has been complaining of neck and back pain, with frequent
headaches, that Tylenol helps. “We have been telling her to standup
straight, and she slouches” maybe she listens to you. Last week at BBQ
party we noticed that her pelvis is off, can you check her?”
I proceed with my examination, which was obvious for
Forward head position (phase II) and pelvis unleveling, postural
distortion. X-rays, will determine if her posture problems are skeletal
or muscular, and to what ratio of physiological involvement of muscles
to bone effect. I sat in my office, looking at Tina’s X-rays, shocked!
Tears pour down, how do I share this with Fay? From the mirror window in
my office I can see them giggling over her nail polish. My voice is
muted holding back the tears as I draw lines, angles, and measurements
on her X-rays, wiping off the unstoppable tears. OMG, OMG, why did this
happen? This is my baby girl! This is
my god daughter.
I put myself together as I wear my white coat, maybe the
coat can give me strength. I pull myself together, pull my hair
back, clear my throat, stand up, and force a smile. I call them
to the consultation room, prior to showing the X-rays I start
my explanation. “Recently within the past few years there has
been a notable rise in number of young adolescents and adults
suffering from neck, upper back and lower back pains.” In past
we blamed heavy back packs, now we have an added insult to
the growing fragile bodies of our children. The side effects of
smart devices integration in children’s lives. In fact; Kaiser
family research states “An average 8-18 year old spends about
7.5hrs a day on some form of smart device.”
You see, there are 3 common factors that contribute to poor posture are:
a) Muscular problem
b) Structural problem
c) Functional problem
• Muscular Problems are poor muscle balance, usually
due to developed bad habits. Such as beanie bags, text neck,
playing games on hand held devices. In adults it could be
poor ergonomics at work or when driving. Usually most
noticed with stiffness, and muscle aches (Figure 1).
• Structural problems are deeper issues. Specifically
speaking is changes to the skeletal system. This generically
is known as “Scoliosis”. An X-ray can identify the source
being born with (congenital) or if it is developed later in
life (structural).
• Functional Problems are when the skeletal system
and the muscular systems changes to the point that the
joints have lost their integrity and are not moving in
correct aligned synchronicity. This will lead to early wear
and tears at joint lets and create bones spurs, fusions and
early arthritis. (Reported cases of bone spurs in teenagers
are becoming a health concern.)
I show Tina what normal X-ray looks like from front and
from side. Explaining the importance of correct alignment.
I open the view to reveal her X-rays. Fay gasps, tears weld in
her eyes, as she knows what this means. Tina’s jaw drops, in
a nervous joke she says “Ahhhh, That’s not straight!”. Based
on your X-rays, it is evident that you do not have a congenital
problem. You have a condition called “Adult Onset Idiopathic
Scoliosis”. I believe your spine is reacting to the abnormal
postures over the past few years and it caught up with you
on your growth spurs. Your body has changed due to the
pressures loads as result of poor postural habits and demands.
This is noted in many ergonomic evaluations on adults. In past
children were more physically active and did not spend their
time looking down other than homework for few hours a day.
That has changed dramatically with phones, tablets, laptops
now your body is reacting to these changes.
For every 1” that your head is off its center, there is between
10-15 lb. of pressure loading on your spine. kepangi&white
Radiology Report
X-Ray Impression
Reverse C/S curve of-12’/45’
Early onset of posterior bone spur at C7
Scoliosis is simple from T8-L5
Right Concave Scoliosis
Pelvis rotation (Compensatory change due to Right Rotation
of Vertebral bodies from L3- T9 creates a Complex Scoliosis
DDX
Reverse C/S curve= Alordosis
Compensatory Rotary Scoliosis (Thoraco-Lumbar spine)
Non-Congenital Scoliosis
Discussion
Range of Scoliosis
phase I- 5’-2’degrees:
Conservative method.
Care: Physical Rehabilitation & Chiropractic Alignment.
Duration of care 3-6 months, full spine X-ray every 3-6 months.
Phase II 25’-45’ degrees
Milwaukee/ Other custom made brace and Surgical
Candidate.
Care: Aggressive Physical Rehabilitation & Chiropractic
Alignment. Duration of care 6-24 months full spine X-ray every
3-6 months.
phase III >45’ degrees:
Care: Surgery
From that day on we put Tina on strict program of
chiropractic, physical therapy, yoga therapy, hard bracing
and 9 months later $30,000.00 + in out of pocket expense
we were able to make some changes to her spine. Tina has to
wear a customized brace for many years on daily basis. As a
doctor we look at anatomical changes and fail to share with
parents the psychological ramifications. A growing child needs
to develop his/her personality in society, matters such as
confidence, ambition, social interaction are building blocks of
a child’s emotional IQ. If a child feels he/she is different, has an
imperfection, or has to hide a secret, to avoid being ridiculed or
bullied. That child’s future is at risk (Figures 2-5).
As parents it’s important to check your children posture.
To raise our future presidents, senators, world leaders not
insecure, introverts, make wrong decision as result of poor self
image. A simple posture analysis and prevention will change
your child’s future, Just Maybe! see posture score at www.
BAX-U.com
Conclusion
I share this story, as a godmother, doctor and advocate for
better posture better health. My effort is to help adults have
better work ergonomic, but prevention starts from home. Find
out what your posture Risk Score is and how together we can Stand taller, Feel Better and Look Amazing. This personal
story is to impress upon you the importance of educating
today’s parents for healthier children. Together we can make
a difference in more ways than you can imagine. I speak out
because “I Care”. Join our team to educate, empower and
promote better health thru early detection and prevention.
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