Back to (Virtual) School
As the kiddos are heading back to school, it is probably looking quite a bit different than it has in the previous years.
As an office that cares for families, we have historically had to worry more about children's spines and posture based off of sitting at a desk and carrying a backpack that is too heavy. Children visit their family wellness chiropractor for overall health and wellness, postural changes, growing pains, and athletic performance.
This year we have more challenges than normal, which includes the need to address the increase in screen time, the increase in hours of sitting (especially for the younger, little ones), and the effects this will have on their nervous system and behavior.
For years, experts have been discussing the need to decrease screen time and increase functional movement; for children this is often outside play and time with friends and family. Your brain changes in response to increase screen time and this can manifest in the physical form.
Your child might be experiencing headaches, neck or back pain, moodiness, or even behavioral changes.
A few tips for the parent’s to combat the new “lifestyle” the children will be facing with virtual classes:
Get the kids moving between sessions. Movement helps break up the muscle patterns that can form by sitting in the same position day after day, hour after hour.
Feed them their veggies. A healthy diet helps the body adapt to changes and influence their mood. Try eliminating Red and Yellow dyes from their diet and increasing their water.
Take time to go outside. Being outside in nature is healthy for the brain and the body. It can relax and center the children.
Embrace play. Playing (not on a screen) is a great stress reliever for children. It helps them calm down and can increase learning.
Give them an outlet for expressing their feelings. Some suggestions include journaling or a chance to share to the family of their feelings and experiences during these transitions.
MOST IMPORTANTLY: Get your kids nervous system checked by a wellness chiropractor who has training with pediatric adjusting. Getting check by a family wellness chiropractor is important because we address the function of the nervous system through balancing the neuro-skeletal system of children. Life is lived through your nervous system.
Adolescent adjustments are completely different than adult adjustments. Look for a chiropractic office that specializes in pediatric chiropractic and tailors their adjustment's to the kids. Now is the time to keep your family healthy.
If you are looking for more information on how to help your kids transition through this time, please feel free to reach out. We are here for the health of our community.
-Dr. Megan