Outmost concern regarding our children is whether they are adjusting well to their new school life while it has been about a month that a new year has begun. Posture is one of the most important factor that needs to be considered as much as the children’s studies. Usual proper lifestyle has close influence to spinal health.
📷Spinal problem may seem to arise after aging; however, scoliosis is seen the most during growth periods for teenagers. Improper posture triggers scoliosis, and, in worse cases, herniated disc is a given, and deformed vertebra can affect the nerves or internal organs. Scoliosis is a curvature of the spine into a “C” or “S” shape when seen from the back.
Scoliosis does not have a special reason or symptoms, and it is discovered later; therefore, it not only affects growth but also spinal health. Scoliosis and wrong postures compress on the spine and its surrounding muscle tissues, which disrupts spinal fluid flow and leads to loss of concentration, low back pain, central back pain, neck and shoulder pain, etc. These are the reasons behind failing grades.
Spinal disorder during growth period can cause temporomandibular disorder, so continuous observation is necessary. Adolescents under severe psychological pressure of studies and entrance examination are adjusted to bad habits such as teeth clenching, protraction of chin, resting of chin, and others. Repetition of bad habits during periods of bone and muscle growth can deform the neck and chin formation, resulting in asymmetry of the face. There is decline of concentration and memory because temporomandibular disorder disrupts blood flow to the brain. It can also trigger additional symptoms; therefore, early discovery and treatment are very important.
Wrong posture and habits not only affect the spine during growth period, but they also affect development. Spinal imbalance caused by wrong posture or habits is one of impeding constituent that can stop development even if the growth plates are open appropriately.
The following are self-diagnostic tests to see what kind of problem there is in the spine:
Observe the position of right and left eyebrows, shoulder heights, pelvic height, length of both arms, and the angle of the toes as the child is standing upright. If the right and left heights are different from the front, or the figure does not seem upright from the side, then diagnosing with X-ray is recommended.
In Korean Medicine, pain is effectively alleviated with MSAT (Motion Style Acupuncture Treatment) in specific location of pain, and the head, neck, and shoulder muscles are relieved of tension with acupuncture treatment. Herbal therapy regulates the spine by strengthening the bone, muscles, and surrounding tissues. Herbal medicine that invigorates blood circulation is helpful in proper growth.
A daily maintenance to prevent scoliosis is by avoiding sitting over fifty minutes. Five to ten minutes of resting while stretching the low back and neck is beneficial. Habits to fix include reading the book on stomach, resting the chin, carrying bag on one side. Stretching and maintaining proper position are possible in preventing scoliosis, but continuous pain require hospital visits and treatments.
Published by KoreaTimes under <Health Column> on September 30, 2014.