A: As a parent, you can be extremely helpful in
observing postural changes in your children.
At birth, observation of symmetry of an infant’s skull, pelvis and
extremities can indicate potential growth and development problems.
There are basically 4
critical stages of weight bearing adjustment after birth that a parent should
be aware of. The first stage is when
the infant initially raises their own head (approximately 2 to 3 months) and
starts to arch the neck in an attempt to develop it’s 1st curve in
the cervical spine. Look for excessive lateral tilting to one side or
responding to stimulus by always rotating or bending the head to the same side.
The second critical stage of
weight bearing is crawling. The cross crawl mechanism of moving opposite arms
and legs forward and then backwards, is a vital developmental action of the
brain in coordinating body movement. Greater than 80% of one side of your brain
controls the opposite side of the body.
The cross crawl action of the baby develops brain-body coordination as
well as stimulates growth of your child’s nervous system. An improper cross-crawl mechanism in infants
deters nervous system function, growth and co-ordination. Observer your infant for proper opposition
movement, dragging of one or both legs, pulling with just upper or lower
extremities. The problem may only be a
pelvic or upperback subluxation (misaligned vertebra creating nerve pressure)
which can be corrected with chiropractic care.
The third phase of weight
bearing and postural change is at (3 to 6 months) when an infant begins to pull
itself up and put weight onto legs and then their low back, creating the second
lordotic curve.
Patents can observe for the
same changes they would see in the cervical spine and a tendency to let all the
weight go to one leg. You may notice
they constantly fall to one side. Observe the crease created by the buttock
while they lay on their stomach. Does
it deviate dramatically to the left or right.
This can indicate imbalance in the pelvic bones.
The fourth and final
critical stage of weight bearing for an infant occurs when they start to
walk. An Early stage of walking means
falling often. This is part of
learning. We don’t just get on a bike and start to ride. Your child learns from each attempt they
make. Do not assist your toddler,
especially with walking devices. Once again, these interrupt brain to body
coordination and may prematurely put weight bearing on hip, leg and low back
joints. Be patient and observe for
excessive falling to one side, toes pointing out (externally) or in
(internally) on one or both sides, knees turned in or out. Also, observe for constant falling forward
or backward. These could all indicate
improper growth plate development, proprioceptive ability or joint
dysfunctions.
Once walking, the spine and
weight bearing joints will grow in response to the stress put on them. Scoliosis (lateral curvature of the spine)
can be observed by a parent by having their child bend at the waist letting
their arms dangling in from of them.
Observe from behind your child looking directly up their spine. Any dramatic asymetries of large muscle
bulked higher on either side could indicate scoliosis.
As the twig bends so does
the tree. As the spine grows it will
deviate around these imbalances and could create severe cosmetic as well as
organic encroachment in the future.
The beauty of nature for
children is that the body wants to grow straight and be healthy. Should some postural imbalances be detected,
have your child checked by a heath professional preferably a chiropractor that
specializes in the spinal biomechanics.
Many conditions do correct themselves but for the ones that don’t, early
detection and correction can prevent a lifetime of problems. Treatment for children is usually gentle and
brief. You can direct questions to Dr.
Steven J. Pollack at 732-244-0222
© Pollack Chiropractic Center 733 Atlantic City Blvd. Suite A Beachwood, NJ 08722 732-244-0222