Chiroblog

            Typically, neck pain and headaches are considered a complaint that brings adults into a practitioner’s office, especially chiropractic offices. However, recently, there has been a shift of patient population entering chiropractic offices for such complaints. What is a common denominator in a rise of neck pain and headaches? Many factors play a role in this shift; however, it is hard to overlook the obvious: Text Neck Syndrome. Text Neck Syndrome is a recent phenomenon due to improper and overuse of technological devices such as iPads, cell phones, and laptops. Though this is common in adulthood due to poor working ergonomics, there is a rise in text neck development through the increasing use of technology in young and growing children.

            Today’s environment is a world of technology that children cannot get enough of if exposed to it. If we take a second to look around a crowded room, we can see the commonality amongst the population; most are looking down at some form of devices. So, why does this matter? If the natural, healthy forward curve of our neck bones are not maintained, it will disappear. And why is that important? How does this affect my child? Without the maintenance of normal spinal function, changes begin to take place such as degeneration and muscle tightness. Remember- the spine houses one of our favorite systems, the nervous system.

            When degeneration occurs, it is difficult to reverse. Degeneration is a permanent form of misalignment and aging of the spine, further causing irritation to the communication of the brain and body that happens via the nerves. More importantly, degeneration in the neck (due to Text Neck) is the closest area of the spine to the brain. Thus, the body’s alarm system begins to sound, leading to physiological symptoms such as headaches, possible dizziness, and of course neck pain.

            In a child that is still developing, these changes can lead to complications scholastically, behaviorally, and ultimately irreversible spinal changes. Though screen time is not recommended in a developing child, proper ergonomics can help facilitate a healthier spine! Rather than your child sitting in a chair playing games or scrolling, have them rest on their stomachs to encourage a healthy curve in the cervical spine! If lying prone is not an option, consider expressing the importance of lifting the device to eye level to avoid the forward bending. Limit screen time when necessary to decrease the poor positioning if not able to reach these ergonomics.

Check out the ‘screen time’ post for information!

Reference: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7914771/pdf/ijerph-18-01565.pdf

One of the most common conversations right now in parenthood is screen time. It seems that there is a screen everywhere we turn, even if it is not our own screen! We make so many connections on a phone as adults in respect to work emails, coordinating schedules, and simply staying in touch with others. But are we thinking about what consequences a screen has on the child’s developing brain?

Certain learning applications on devices can help improve education and learning opportunities when in small moderation. However, does the cost outweigh the risk? Such risks associated with screentime can include increasing the probability of obesity, sleep disturbances, and psychological issues such as depression and anxiety.  A cohort study performed by The Quebec Longitudinal Study of Child Development found that early screen exposure showed an outcome of lowered academic performances. Cognitive disruptions due to early introduction to screen time can also be linked to a poorer attention span and focus abilities that correlate with lesser academic outcomes.

Language development relies heavily on interactions between children and adults. It has been realized that less adult and children’s interactions are occurring due to the interruption of screentime and smart devices. This directly affects language abilities when there is no communication taking place.

Enriching activities can be a positive option for a child in place of screentime. Monitoring screen games and media as well as time spent on a screen can help benefit the child’s cognitive development. This begins with pediatric chiropractors advising and encouraging parental awareness and help them make informed decisions as the world of screens and devices continuing to soar.  

In a future blogpost, we will address other pediatric issues associated with screens, including tech neck!

Reference:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10353947/

Of all the reported sports-related injuries that present to the emergency room each year, approximately 40% are attributed to patients aged 5-14 years.^1-2 While this accounts for only the most severe case (e.g. fractures, concussions, dislocations, etc), it demonstrates a rising trend that sports injuries are occurring in high rates at all levels, not just the high school, college, and professional levels. Kids of elementary and middle school age who are participating in recreational and travel league athletics are just as susceptible to injury as any adult athlete.

Kids playing sports are also at risk of the same injuries as any adult athlete (e.g. tendonitis, ligament tears, meniscus/cartilage injuries, concussions, muscle strains, etc.)^3-4, but they can additionally present with their own set of health challenges and risks due to their immature skeleton. For example, youth athletes are uniquely at risk for injuries to the growth plates or the areas of their bones that are responsible for lengthening and ossifying the bones in their body as they reach full size. Damage to the growth plates can result in premature closing of the growth plates and other long-term complications. Youth athletes are most at-risk during growth spurts when the growth plate is its most fragile.^1-5 Unfortunately, most athletes both begin competitive sport and start sport specialization during the times of growth spurts, ages 5 and 12-15 respectively.

We must also remember that no part of the body grows at the same rate. At some points during development, the head and trunk are out of proportion with the arms and legs. When kids are introduced to the same types of training as adults, their bodies are biomechanically not able to withstand the same forces. This can increase the risk of overuse injuries, especially when kids are subjected to specialized skill training.^1-2 Overuse injuries in childhood without proper rest and healing time can lead an athlete to a lifetime of injury challenges such as early arthritis, cartilage damage, and ligamentous laxity.⁵

The good news is that with proper care including chiropractic, rest, and monitoring kids can have long athletic careers. Sport participation has been shown to have significant positive influences on socialization and interpersonal skills, mental health, self-efficacy, self-worth, and creating long-term healthy habits.^6-7  It is never our goal to discourage sport participation, but to educate parents and families that as with all things, there are risks. However, with the right care team in place, (especially a certified pediatric chiropractor), your child can participate in the sports that they love for as long as they choose.

1. Maffulli N, Caine D. The Epidemiology of Children's Team Sports Injuries. Med Sport Sci. 2005;49:1-8. doi:10.1159/000085330
2. Caine DJ, Maffulli N. Epidemiology of children's individual sports injuries. An important area of medicine and sport science research. Med Sport Sci. 2005;48:1-7. doi:10.1159/000084274
3. Wild JT, Kamani YV, Bryan JM, Hartman TN, Spirov LM, Patel NM. Timeout? The Epidemiology of Pediatric Sports Injuries During the COVID-19 Pandemic. J Am Acad Orthop Surg Glob Res Rev. 2022;6(4):e21.00092. Published 2022 Apr 8. doi:10.5435/JAAOSGlobal-D-21-00092
4. Zaremski JL, Zeppieri G Jr, Tripp BL. Sport Specialization and Overuse Injuries in Adolescent Throwing Athletes: A Narrative Review. J Athl Train. 2019;54(10):1030-1039. doi:10.4085/1062-6050-333-18
5. Samet JD. Pediatric Sports Injuries. Clin Sports Med. 2021;40(4):781-799. doi:10.1016/j.csm.2021.05.012
6. Hosker DK, Elkins RM, Potter MP. Promoting Mental Health and Wellness in Youth Through Physical Activity, Nutrition, and Sleep. Child Adolesc Psychiatr Clin N Am. 2019;28(2):171-193. doi:10.1016/j.chc.2018.11.010
7. Carbone PS, Smith PJ, Lewis C, LeBlanc C. Promoting the Participation of Children and Adolescents With Disabilities in Sports, Recreation, and Physical Activity. Pediatrics. 2021;148(6):e2021054664. doi:10.1542/peds.2021-054664