When is it time for a child’s first spinal examination? Should we wait until children complain of pain before taking them to a chiropractor?Throughout our society it is a well-accepted fact that children should have dental visits on a regular basis to identify problems as early as possible. A dentist attempts to identify early tooth decay and possible alignment problems of the teeth. The earlier the problem is detected, the easier it is to correct.What about the potential for children to develop spinal problems? Shouldn’t children be examined periodically during their growth and development to identify potential spinal problems that may become serious, permanent problems if left uncorrected?Unfortunately, we do hear many parents say that their child is not complaining of anything, so why visit with a chiropractor? Our response is that health is not just the absence of disease or a symptom. It is incorrect to assume that a backache or neck ache is all that would prompt a visit to the chiropractor.When the spines of adult patients are evaluated, we often point out the presence of degenerative changes in the discs and vertebral joints that have been ongoing for many years, often without the presence of symptoms. In fact, many people have symptoms that may have recently begun and are surprised to see the level of degeneration seen on their X-rays. We explain that once the degeneration reaches such an advanced stage the body tends to succumb more easily, and symptoms of pain and stiffness arise. If the spinal problem that is the cause of these symptoms had been detected at an early age and the proper corrections made, it is possible that the symptoms could have been avoided.Many of the worst spinal problems seen in an X-ray show evidence that they’ve been present for many years. By looking at the degree of degeneration of the spine, it is possible to determine that the problems started during childhood.We would prefer to see a child have a spinal examination early in life, when the spine is growing and developing at the fastest rate. The time of fastest spinal growth is during the first year of life, when the average length of the spine grows about 50 percent. This rate of growth is unmatched at any other time in our lives. This is also a time of major developmental milestones: rolling over, holding up the head, sitting up, crawling, standing and walking. As amazing as this development is, it does not come without trauma (think of all the times your child fell as he learned to stand and walk).This phase of development is also when a child develops secondary curves in his or her neck and lower back. Because this first year is such an important time for spinal growth and development and there is such a potential for trauma, it is recommended that a child’s first spinal examination occur during this time.Beyond the first year, it is suggested that a child have regular check-ups to ensure that the micro-traumas of daily living (slips, falls, sports, rough housing) do not cause spinal problems – problems that might go unnoticed simply because the child does not complain of symptoms.All around us we see trees staked in our newly landscaped yards to ensure that they will grow straight during their early years. If we didn’t stake the trees and allow them to bend with our ever-present wind for 10 to 15 years, they would be impossible to straighten. Don’t let your child’s spine develop like an unstaked tree in the wind. Have their spine checked from an early age so problems may be prevented.Palmer Chiropractic, PC719-494-1395www.palmer-chiropractic.com
