As much as 36% of adolescents (teenagers) will have had low back pain by age 15.  But only about 2% will seek treatment.  A 25-year research study followed 14-year-old adolescents to age 39. The study found that those with low back pain at age 14 were significantly more likely to have low back pain as an adult. (1) 

 

Certainly the more serious causes of low back pain are tumor or infection.  However, the most frequent causes of Low Back Pain in Children a Chiropractor Can Help are either postural, sprain/strain, or spondylolisthesis.

 

Low Back Pain and the Hyperlordotic Posture in Children

 

A hyperlordotic posture is also called a hyperlordosis. Visually it may appear as the child having prominent buttocks.  It is an excessive curvature of the spine in the lower back. A child’s spine naturally curves in at the lower back (lumbar spine) and out in the mid back part (thoracic spine). For some children, the curve in their lower back is excessive. The hyperlordosis can lead to lower back pain. 

 

Firstly, the hyperlordosis may occur as a result of a disease such as a spondylolisthesis in the lumbosacral spine.

 

Secondly, it may be due to a hip flexion contracture. The hip flexion contracture could be due to an imbalance of the muscles and/or a chiropractic “subluxation” (joint misalignment/ intersegmental dysfunction) in the hip. For instance, the hip flexor and the paraspinal muscles may be shortened and tight. In contrast, the abdominal muscles may be weakened due to the imbalance.  So stretching and strengthening of indicated muscles and adjusting of the anterior superior ilium (part of hip bone) is effective in this case. 

 

Thirdly, the hyperlordosis may be compensatory to a hyperkyphosis (excessive, forward rounding of the upper back in the thoracic region) in the mid back. 

 

Low Back Pain and Sprain/Strain Injuries in Children: Predisposing Factors

 

A child’s response to injury is often different than an adult. One reason is the weakness of the epiphyseal and apophyseal areas (growth plates in bone). So children are more likely to injure these areas than the attaching ligaments or tendons.  Nevertheless, children do sustain sprains (injury to ligament around a joint) and strains (injury to tendon or/and muscle).

 

During growth spurts, tightness can occur around a child’s joints.  And the tightness may predispose the child to overuse injury. Also, the altered alignment of the pelvis, hip, and lower extremity (limbs) happen also predisposing to injuries. In fact, conditions affecting the “ version” (angle of alignment or rotation) of the hips and lower extremity are common. Similarly, differences in leg length due to growth alterations are also common. 

 

Imbalance of muscle strength can also be a predisposition to injury in kids. The most common example is a ratio of quadriceps to hamstring strength. For example in kids the ratio is 2: I versus the adult ratio of 3:2.

 

Lastly, ligament laxity (looseness) is a predisposition to certain types of injuries.  It is especially more common in females such as in a patellar (kneecap) dislocation.

 

 

Chiropractic Treatment for Children in West Palm Beach

 

For Pediatric Chiropractic Care in 2009, a survey found that there were about 68 million pediatric visits to chiropractors. The National Board of Chiropractic Examiners’ most recent practice analysis, issued in 2010, found that about 17 percent of chiropractic patients were under age 18 — approximately 7.7 percent aged five years or younger and some 9.4 percent between ages six and 17. In deed, the American Chiropractic Association cites a study done in 2014 confirming that chiropractic adjustments are overwhelmingly safe in infants and children.

 

The fact is Chiropractors receive training to adjust all people, from babies to the elderly. Many children have benefited from chiropractic care, including babies.

 

So conventional (allopathic) medical care is great for saving our lives, but doesn’t do a lot for everyday quality-of-life issues that plague us. Similarly, there’s a lot more anxiety and stress in kids’ lives today. Chiropractic adjustments are great and powerful.

 

In conclusion, along with adequate nutrition, sleep and physical activity, adjustments can be life changing for children. For parents who are looking for answers besides putting their kids on more drugs, Chiropractic is a great solution.

 

Meiri Chiropractic in West Palm Beach

 

Children have the same joints that adults do, but not fully formed yet.  They are still developing and adjustments get the spine back in alignment to keep the body balanced and to prevent further problems. Additionally, kids joints are still more cartilaginous than truly bony.  Therefore, the adjustments have to be a little bit faster but with less force. This is due to the increased flexibility within the joint and the smaller surface area targeted.

 

Dr. Natalie Meiri delivers fast adjustments that are low intensity (low force) and low amplitude (low displacement).  She also has helped babies and kids utilizing soft tissue techniques, cranial sacral therapy, and homeopathy. Dr. Natalie Meiri has treated babies with ear infections, kids with ADHD, autism, scoliosis, sports injuries and various growing problems.  Contact her at 561-253-8984 for further information on Low Back Pain in Children a Chiropractor Can Help or to make an appointment.

 

References:

(1) Harreby M, Neergaard K, Hesselsoe G, Kjer J Are radiographic changes in the thoracic and lumbar spine of adolescents risk factors for low back pain in adults? Spine.

 

 

 

In children and adolescents (teenagers) thoracic (mid-back) pain is a common problem.  And acute (sudden and severe) pain that is rather localized could be from trauma or an accident. But most pain described as diffuse (not localized) and aching in the mid back is generally a postural problem. Certainly, a stooped forward posture and wearing of heavy backpacks are common causes in children for mid back pain.  Read on to find out 3 Causes of Mid Back Pain in Children a Chiropractor Can Help.

 

1) Kyphosis and Scheuremann’s disease

 

A kyphosis (rounding of back) is often seen in the adolescent (teenager). It is a curvature of the spine that causes the top of the mid back to appear more rounded than normal. This may simply represent a postural syndrome with a psychologic cause in children such as low self-confidence (e.g. shy). Nevertheless, whether the child’s hyperkyphosis is structural or functional or both has to be determined.

 

The most common cause of structural kyphosis is Scheuremann’s disease. The incidence is estimated at between 1 % and 8%. With a stooped posture, Scheuremann’s disease should be included as a possibility. The cause of Scheuermann’s disease has been studied and discussed for years. Nevertheless, scientists don’t know exactly why some kids get it. The disease does run in families. And Scheuermann’s disease is believed to be the result of vertebral (spinal bones) growth plate trauma.  It occurs during the adolescent period with interruption or cessation (stopping) of further growth. Scheuermann’s is a structural problem/deformity and not caused by a functional problem (e.g. poor habitual posture).

2)  Scoliosis

 

Firstly, painful scoliosis in children would certainly necessitate a radiographic (x-ray) search for the possibility of cancer (e.g. osteoid osteoma) or infection.

 

Secondly, Scoliosis can be part of a disorder (e.g. poliomyelitis). This includes neurologic, muscular, congenital (born with it) bone anomalies, developmental (e.g., due to abnormal collagen), and several other disorders.

 

Thirdly, the majority of scoliosis, however, are idiopathic. “Idiopathic” means there is no known definite cause. It can affect people of any age, from babies to adults, but most often starts in children aged 10 to 15 (idiopathic). When it begins or is found after puberty (after complete skeletal growth), it is called adult scoliosis.

 

 

3) Straight Back

 

             Straight Back and Spondylolisthesis

 

Does your child have a flattened appearance to the mid-back?  So this may be a secondary effect to a severe spondylolisthesis. Spondylolisthesis is a condition in which a vertebra (bone) in the spine moves forward out of the proper position onto the bone below it. There are several types of spondylolisthesis. However, the most common are isthmic, occurring in children.

 

90% of spondylolytic spondylolisthesis occurs at the lumbar spinal vertebral level 5. The spondylolysis type is more likely to become symptomatic in children more than 5 years old. Spondylolisthesis is more common in girls. Sports such as gymnastics, which require repetitive hyperextension (extensive arching of the back), are more likely to cause problems.

 

               Straight Back and “straight back syndrome”

 

Finally, more often Straight Back is due to a condition referred to as “straight back syndrome” (AKA cobbler’s chest). Straight back syndrome is characterized by loss of the normal upper thoracic spinal kyphosis. Pectus excavatum, a congenital chest wall deformity is also seen with Straight Back Syndrome. Growth abnormality of the cartilage that connects the ribs to the breastbone (sternum) is the cause. Moreover, with a narrowed chest dimension, problems tolerating exercise, tiredness, a rapid heartbeat or heart palpitations, coughing and chest pain can occur.

Chiropractic Treatment

 

For Pediatric Chiropractic Care in 2009, a survey found that there were about 68 million pediatric visits to chiropractors. The National Board of Chiropractic Examiners’ most recent practice analysis, issued in 2010, found that about 17 percent of chiropractic patients were under age 18 — approximately 7.7 percent aged five years or younger and some 9.4 percent between ages six and 17. In deed, the American Chiropractic Association cites a study done in 2014 confirming that chiropractic adjustments are overwhelmingly safe in infants and children.

 

The fact is Chiropractors receive training to adjust all people, from babies to the elderly. Many children have benefited from chiropractic care, including babies.

 

So conventional (allopathic) medical care is great for saving our lives, but doesn’t do a lot for everyday quality-of-life issues that plague us. Similarly, there’s a lot more anxiety and stress in kids’ lives today. Chiropractic adjustments are great and powerful.

 

In conclusion, along with adequate nutrition, sleep and physical activity, adjustments can be life changing for children. For parents who are looking for answers besides putting their kids on more drugs, Chiropractic is a great solution.

 

Meiri Chiropractic in West Palm Beach

 

Children have the same joints that adults do, but not fully formed yet.  They are still developing and adjustments get the spine back in alignment to keep the body balanced and to prevent further problems. Additionally, kids joints are still more cartilaginous than truly bony.  Therefore, the adjustments have to be a little bit faster but with less force. This is due to the increased flexibility within the joint and the smaller surface area targeted.

 

Dr. Natalie Meiri delivers fast adjustments that are low intensity (low force) and low amplitude (low displacement).  She also has helped babies and kids utilizing soft tissue techniques, cranial sacral therapy, and homeopathy. Dr. Natalie Meiri has treated babies with ear infections, kids with ADHD, autism, scoliosis, sports injuries and various growing problems.  Contact her at 561-253-8984 for further information on 3 Causes of Mid Back Pain in Children a Chiropractor Can Help or to make an appointment.

 

 

This post is about Neck Pain and Torticollis in a Child: Chiropractic Can Help. Are you concerned about a fixed head tilt in your infant or child?  If your child has Torticollis, chiropractic treatment may be the best choice for relief! 

 

What is Torticollis (Wryneck)?

 

Torticollis (called also wryneck) is an acute or chronic often painful condition characterized by involuntary intermittent or sustained contraction of the muscles of the neck.  This causes the head to tilt or turn sideways, bend forward or backward.

For instance, these muscles could be the  sternocleidomastoid (muscle located at the base of your skull on either side of your neck, behind your ears and goes to the sternum and clavicle) or trapezius (either of a pair of large triangular muscles extending over the back of the neck and shoulders and moving the head and shoulder blade). 

Furthermore, torticollis may occur secondary to an injury or a preexisting condition (such as a musculoskeletal abnormality or a neurological disease), but is often of unknown cause. 

 

 

Torticollis in Children

 

Firstly, in congenital (born with it) torticollis, the infant will have a fixed asymmetry of the head that is seen within hours (or sometimes weeks) of delivery.

 

Secondly, in infancy, this is the most common cause of torticollis (wryneck).  The cause is a contracture of the sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle. 

 

Thirdly, the torticollis can be due to a breech delivery (fetus’s buttocks, feet, or both are in place to come out first during birth) or other birth trauma.

 

Fourthly, congenital torticollis may result in a hematoma (bad bruise) or fibrous mass developing in the SCM.  Similarly, plageocephaly (baby’s head has a flattened appearance) is common with this type of torticollis. 

 

Other Causes of Torticollis in Children

 

Other possible causes of torticollis in children are infection (e.g. respiratory), spinal cord tumor and/or it may be associated with hip dysplasia (hip socket doesn’t develop properly).

 

In adolescent children, torticollis may be acute following no specific event or minimal trauma. Moreover, the muscle spasm may be secondary to lymphadenitis (inflamed and enlarged lymph nodes) and/or a “chiropractic subluxation” (misalignment).

 

 

Chiropractic Treatment

 

Adjusting (Chiropractic manipulative therapy) the cervical spine (neck) may decrease any associated pain and resolve the problem. Chronic torticollis in an older child is often due to contracture in both heads of the SCM muscle.  Again, if due to muscle spasm, gentle soft tissue manipulation, stretching and adjusting the cervical spine may be of benefit.

 

Pediatric Chiropractic Care

 

In 2009, a survey found that there were about 68 million pediatric visits to chiropractors. The National Board of Chiropractic Examiners’ most recent practice analysis, issued in 2010, found that about 17 percent of chiropractic patients were under age 18 — approximately 7.7 percent aged five years or younger and some 9.4 percent between ages six and 17. In deed, the American Chiropractic Association cites a study done in 2014 confirming that chiropractic adjustments are overwhelmingly safe in infants and children.

The fact is Chiropractors receive training to adjust all people, from babies to the elderly. Many children have benefited from chiropractic care, including babies.

So conventional (allopathic) medical care is great for saving our lives, but doesn’t do a lot for everyday quality-of-life issues that plague us. Similarly, there’s a lot more anxiety and stress in kids’ lives today. Chiropractic adjustments are great and powerful. Similarly, along with adequate nutrition, sleep and physical activity, adjustments can be life changing for children. For parents who are looking for answers besides putting their kids on more drugs, Chiropractic is a great solution.

 

Meiri Chiropractic in West Palm Beach

 

Children have the same joints that adults do, but not fully formed yet.  They are still developing and adjustments get the spine back in alignment to keep the body balanced and to prevent further problems. Additionally, kids joints are still more cartilaginous than truly bony.  Therefore, the adjustments have to be a little bit faster but with less force. This is due to the increased flexibility within the joint and the smaller surface area targeted. 

Dr. Natalie Meiri delivers fast adjustments that are low intensity (low force) and low amplitude (low displacement).  She also has helped babies and kids utilizing soft tissue techniques, cranial sacral therapy, and homeopathy. Dr. Natalie Meiri has treated babies with ear infections, kids with ADHD, autism, scoliosis, sports injuries and various growing problems.  Contact her at 561-253-8984 for further information on Neck Pain and Torticollis in a Child: Chiropractic Can Help or to make an appointment.

 

 

 

Easter, like spring, represents a time of rebirth and renewal. It symbolizes rejuvenation and rebirth. To Christians, Easter is the holiest day in the Christian calendar.  It represents the resurrection of the Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. 

 

So what can chiropractic do to renew and rebirth you in 2023?

 

The Birth of Chiropractic

 

Chiropractic made its start in 1895 when D.D. Palmer introduced the specific, short-lever vertebral (back bone) chiropractic adjustment.  D.D. Palmer was the father of chiropractic who was able to blend recognized philosophical concepts of medicine together with the then-current scientific principles to create the chiropractic healing art.

 

Firstly, his formulation of chiropractic practice and theory developed from his application of a manual thrust, which he called an adjustment, to Harvey Lillard in September 1895.

 

Secondly, the story is told that this manual adjustment was directed to the fourth thoracic (midback) vertebra. 

 

Thirdly, this resulted in the restoration of Harvey Lillard’s lost hearing.

 

Fourthly, from the reasoning used to develop this treatment, Palmer then applied similar manual adjustments to other patients with a variety of problems. Moreover, each time he used short lever contacts (e.g. spinous process and transverse process of vertebrae; bony segments of a vertebrae).

 

In conclusion, this constituted the initiation of chiropractic as an art, a science, and a profession. Palmer developed the concept of a chiropractic “subluxation” as a causal factor in disease. And this was through the “pressure such displacements” would cause to nerve roots/nervous system. 

 

Chiropractic is Holistic

 

Today, the broad chiropractic model of health care is one of holism. In this model, health is viewed as a complex process in which all parts and systems of the body strive to maintain homeostasis (state of balance among all the body systems, needed for the body to function correctly). And your body needs homeostasis in a dynamic environment of internal and external change.

 

Certainly, the profession’s major contribution is through the evaluation and treatment of neuromusculoskeletal (NMS) disorders. However, broad-scope chiropractic care is committed to holistic health care and working with patients to optimize their health.  Therefore, it is common for chiropractic physicians to also counsel patients on other lifestyle issues such as diet, nutrition, exercise, and stress management.

 

Contemporary Practice of Chiropractic

 

The contemporary practice of chiropractic maintains its focus on the evaluation and conservative treatment of neuromusculoskeletal (Nervous system, Muscular system, Skeletal system) disorders. In addition to specializing in the adjustive (manipulative) treatment of disorders of the spinal and extremity (limb) joints, it is common for chiropractors to include other treatment procedures in patient management and health promotion. At Meiri Chiropractic, these common therapies include dietary modification, nutritional/homeopathic supplementation, soft tissue techniques, physical therapies, and exercise.

 

Chiropractic’s Core Principles and What It Can Do For You

 

The chiropractic profession views your susceptibility to disease as depending on a multitude of factors. Within this is the presence of joint dysfunction or chiropractic subluxation may serve as a noxious (harmful) irritant to lower the body’s ability to resist disease.

 

So the removal of joint dysfunction or chiropractic subluxation becomes an important consideration for optimal health. Of course, nutritious diet, adequate rest, clean air and water, regular exercise, proper posture and the alleviation of stressful living are important along with your regular chiropractic adjustments.

 

Extraspinal Adjustments

 

Additionally, from the start, chiropractors have treated the extraspinal/nonspinal (e.g. limbs, ribs, TMJ) joints.  For instance, D.D. Palmer described his treatment of the feet in 1910.

 

“Chiropractors adjust any or all of the 300 joints of the body; more particularly those of the spinal column.” D.D. Palmer p 228, The Science, Art and Philosophy of Chiropractic, 1910

 

Why Treat Peripheral (Nonspinal) Joints?

 

Peripheral joints are adjusted for the correction of biomechanical problems and reflex-triggered functional syndromes. Biomechanical problems are characterized mostly by joint pain, but swelling and paresthesia (pins and needles) may be present. These problems may be the result of trauma (sprains, strains, athletic injuries, or work injuries) or repetitive activities and postures (plantar fasciitis and foot pronation or supination).

 

Find Renewal this Easter with Chiropractic Care at Meiri Chiropractic

 

If you visit your West Palm Beach Chiropractor we can assess the health of your musculoskeletal system for your spine and peripheral (nonspinal) joints and/or help you with many other ailments. Adjustments will ensure your joints are correctly aligned and your nervous system functioning at its optimum. Moreover, the following article features many reasons to visit a West Palm Beach chiropractor: https://meirichiro.com/10-reasons-to-seek-chiropractic-care/. 

Call us at 561-253-8984 today to make an appointment or to find out more about Find Renewal this Easter with Chiropractic Care.