Back Pain and Your Teen
By Krista Elliott
Adults often belittle the difficulties that teenagers go through. Sure, we had to walk uphill to school both ways, in the snow, barefoot. But today's teenagers are navigating a fast-paced world where any misstep can live on in the permanent museum that is Google.
Besides the broad range of emotional challenges that teens face today, there are also physical ones that, in our rose-colored mist of memory, we've forgotten from our own youth. But the wear and tear on your teen's back and joints is not something to be taken lightly.
Have a Seat: It's kind of funny how at offices, we often have padded and ergonomic desk chairs, and are allowed to get up and stretch whenever needed. At non-desk jobs, our employers still take steps to reduce risks to our health and safety. But at school? Our kids are made to sit in hard plastic chairs for extended periods of time and cannot get up and walk around when they get stiff and sore. We justify it by saying their young backs can take more abuse, but considering that these bodies are still growing and developing, it's odd that we don't place more priority on the health of their joints.
Walk it Off: Speaking of abuse, if your teen plays sports, there is an ever-present risk to their joints, spine and muscles. Now, that's not to say they shouldn't be on the team. Sports are a fantastic way to learn how to work with a group while getting much-needed physical activity. The benefits do outweigh the risks, but that's not to say the risks don't exist, especially with contact sports like football.
No Dice Son, You Gotta Work Late: Having a summer or part-time job can be a wonderful experience for a teen that helps them learn the value of earning an honest paycheck, as well as teaching them responsibility and money management. All good stuff. But some jobs do come with risks to your teen's spine and joints. Slips and falls in the food industry or in retail are not unheard of, while manual labor jobs can lead to serious muscle strains and subluxations.
So, if your teen is complaining of back, joint, or muscle pain, chiropractic treatment from the professionals at The Joint Chiropractic might be just the answer. Gentle and precise adjustments that take the entire bodily structure into account can help relieve pain and repair misalignments. And adolescence is a great time to establish healthy lifelong habits, like routine chiropractic care that will help keep your teen's body healthy, in perfect alignment, and ready for anything that life throws at it. So bring your teen over to The Joint today and get them started on a lifetime of joint health and comfort!