Keep your back straight, child!

Spine

A sedentary lifestyle, too much time spent using smart devices and watching TV, which was especially true during the Covid-19 pandemic when children spent the school year at home, as well as other reasons, may cause children to develop posture problems, which, if not noticed in time, may create unpleasant consequences in the future. Therefore it is important to react in time.

Proper posture is the basis for good health

When the child grows and develops, spinal problems which may cause posture problems in the future are practically unnoticeable at the beginning. Of course, if it is not a congenital deformity.

The spine obtains the correct curvature at approximately the age of six. For the process to happen without any developmental problems, parents should follow the lifestyle of the child, because a normal posture guards the body from injuries and deformity, as well as provides proper functioning of the internal organs. This means that proper posture influences the general health condition of the person and psychological well-being, as well as provides healthy self-esteem.

What correct posture is:

symmetrical body,
straight back, the body is not tense,
the head is slightly elevated, slightly moved forward,
both sides of the pelvis are at the same level,
the knees are slightly bent,
the shoulders are symmetrical,
the hands are loose, the abdomen is contained,
a stable posture fully standing on both feet.

Factors affecting proper posture

Posture disorders have different causes – they are affected by both internal and external factors.

Factors affecting the child’s posture:

heredity,
injury (including birth trauma),
different daily habits,
muscle insufficiency,
disorders of the functioning of internal organs,
environmental settings (inappropriate furniture etc.),
lack of physical activity,
one-sided physical activities,
uncomfortable clothes and footwear,
incorrect sitting position and others.

If the posture disorders are not caused by congenital causes or injury, then for children and young adults the reason is mostly daily habits and lifestyle, which most often influence the health of the spinal cord. As we know, the spinal cord is the central axis of the body and the most important part of the musculoskeletal system.

Daily habits that influence posture:

too much time spent on the phone and different gaming devices or TV
sedentary lifestyle,
improperly designed study environment,
inconvenient and body deforming postures etc.

All these and also other daily habits may enhance the deformation of the spine, which, if not noticed in time, may leave lasting consequences on the posture of the child or the young person, and, in the more distant future, also on the general health condition. This is why teachers and doctors encourage parents to pay attention to ordinary activities of the child: moving, sitting, walking, running.

Aspects that should be taken into account when designing the workplace of the child or young person:

proper choice of chair and table – best if the table has adjustment options when the child is growing, which may be adjusted according to the height of the child,
light – it is best to place the table near the window, where the natural light is sufficient; if artificial light is needed, the light should fall from the side, opposite to the hand the child is writing with,
computer– the height of the screen has to be at eye-level.

One should start with exercise

When noticing any deviations or having suspicions about wrong body posture, medics encourage parents to seek timely help, indicating that during childhood and at a young age, in order for correct posture to form, great attention should be paid to the loads on the spine and the timely strengthening of the corset, not to the use of medicine in the case of back pain.

Most often, when noticing posture disorders in the initial stage, it is possible to correct them with physical therapy and medical gymnastics. Of course, parents have to be aware that the exercises have to also be performed regularly at home, and parents will have to pay attention to ensure that the child does not return to the old habits which harm posture. In many cases it may mean that the entire family will have to change their lifestyle, introducing new habits connected to physical activities instead of the former sedentary lifestyle. Doctors encourage it, in this way not only creating proper posture for the child, but also improving overall health for all family members.

If the back pain does not diminish, the doctor shall prescribe a specific examination to arrive at an accurate diagnosis.

In correcting posture problems, special posture correctors often have to be used as an aid, which is especially beneficial in cases when the child is sitting with a crooked back, due to a habit. These correctors are easily used; they not only help to straighten the shoulders, but also the spinal cord under the shoulder blades.

Photo by Laura Chouette on Unsplash