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Back to School

After basking in the sun and having fun this summer, we all go back to reality that it is time for another school year. It could be a bit of a challenge to prepare the kids for back to school, especially if they had a lot of fun over the past summer. Now that they are heading back to school comes new activities, new back packs, new classes, and new teachers. These are only a few of the factors that contribute to an increased stress load for parents and children this time of the year. All of these factors significantly contribute to poor health outcomes whether symptoms are present or not. Every one of these stressors interacts with the nervous system, yet one of the most overlooked areas of health assessment and maintenance is the spine. Subluxation interferes with the nervous system but is very detectable and correctable by a Chiropractor. Chiropractic is committed to changing this system of health care by educating all people about the importance of spinal care.

As kids go back to school, their bodies are put under undue stress and weight from all the text books and supplies they need each day. This often times results in pain, whether it be low back pain, shoulder pain or headaches. As humans, we want to avoid being in pain. It’s especially important to find the cause of pain when it involves children as they are growing.  Here are a few tips to keep in mind for your children to keep them healthy as they head back to school this fall and anytime they are carrying an extra load.

What is in your child’s backpack?

Back to school means back to preparing school lunches and packing school bags with books and other school stuff. First things first, check the weight of your child’s backpack on a regular basis. The total weight of the bag needs to be no more than 10-15% of their body weight. Any more than that and it can cause harmful effects on their spine and joints. Once you do the math, you’ll realize that much of the time your child’s backpack is far too heavy.

If your child has to carry a heavy load, make sure the heaviest items are packed closest to the body. In other words, pack text books against the back of the bag and lighter items farther away from the body. Encourage your child to use both of the shoulder straps. It may be more fashionable to only use one strap, but long term use of only one strap causes imbalances in posture and muscles leading to shoulder, neck and upper back pain. Make sure the straps are both wide and well padded. If possible, buy a backpack with a waist strap. Using the waist strap will help distribute a portion of the burden onto the hips versus all of the weight of the bag being on the back and shoulders. Another feature of a better backpack to look for is one that has built in padding across the back for comfort and protection.

Lastly, look at your child when they have the backpack on. Make sure that bottom of the bag falls right at their hip level. What you don’t want is the bottom of the backpack too far down their legs and body. That will cause them to have an abnormal gait, increasing the likelihood for, among other things, trips and falls. Also look at their posture with the backpack on. From the side, you want their ear to be over their shoulder and their shoulders directly in line with the hips and feet. If they have their head out in front of their body or their posture seems off, that is a problem. Check in with your child periodically to see if their backpack is comfortable or if they are experiencing any pain. If so, make an appointment with your chiropractor immediately to get them back in line and prevent injury.

Have you taken a look at your child’s posture lately?

With technology taking an increased role in our children’s lives, it is important to pay attention to the toll that phones and gaming devices can take on their necks. Repetitive and prolonged posture while watching TV, movies or playing on the computer can impact the developing spine and chiropractic can help!

By age seven, a child will have fallen around 2500 times, and prior to turning three, they will have had three major falls out of bed, off a changing table or down a flight of stairs – Not to mention the spinal trauma just from birth! Chiropractors can assess how your child’s spine is developing and put a care plan together specifically for your child. With regular adjustments, they can support your child’s growing body and assess how their nervous system is adapting. Adjustments remove nerve interference and allow the body to restore balance and build immune strength.

How do we make sure our kids are healthy even when we don’t watch what they eat in school?

When thinking about going back to school, food is usually on the top of the list. What will my kids eat for lunch? How can I make healthy snacks taste good? How many fruits and veggies should my child eat per day? All of these questions can make for a quickly overwhelming grocery list. But fear not, because packing a healthy lunch and planning for yummy snacks can be easy with a little prep time.  Here are a few tips:

-Make it fun! Purchase a lunchbox that is age appropriate and fits your child’s personality. They might be more apt to enjoy and feel excited to eat their lunch if it’s all about them.

-Make a meal plan and pack ahead of time. Portion out your veggies and fruit into plastic baggies, line up your string cheeses or bottles of water so it becomes a grab and go process rather than a frantic morning rush.

-Try to avoid package foods. Even though they are easier, packaged and overly processed foods can be high in sugar or unhealthy fats. Try to include a protein, a veggie and a fruit in each meal and keep it as fresh as possible.

-Have fun with snack time. School days can be long and can even be physically tiring. Having a healthy snack when they come home is a great way to replenish their energy and keep them healthy no matter how tired they get from school activities. Make after school snack time a fun time to decompress from the day. Try different veggies or fruits, smoothies, peanut butter sandwiches or whole wheat cinnamon sugar toast while you talk to your kids about their day or get them started on homework

Remember, eating healthy is an important way to keep kids healthy and energized at school.

-Teach your kids about the importance of breakfast. No matter how late they’re running for school, breakfast should never be disregarded. It is the most important part of your day, especially for kids who are about to face a long day in school.

-Know what they eat in school. If your kids choose to buy meals from the cafeteria, ask them what they usually have. If you feel they don’t get the proper nutrition from what they have in school, make a conscious effort to pack one for them yourself.

What are the best essential oils for Back to School?

Summer days are over and going back to school is hard for kids, especially when it is time to turn their brain power back on again. Also with cold and flu season coming up as well it can really do a number on their immune system. Essential Oils can help your child concentrate, fortify the immune system and calm stress and anxiety.

Concentration: Lavender, Lemon, Jasmine, Vetiver, and Cedarwood are all known to heighten the senses and aid in memory recall.

Immunity Boost: During the colder months, there are all kinds of bugs being passed around. The crowded classrooms and gyms are breeding grounds for sickness. There are many essential oils that are powerful antibacterial agents. Theives, Oregano, Cinnamon Bark, and Peppermint are said to be some of the best antibacterial oils.

Calming: Being in school is stressful. Studying for a test, getting homework done, listening to the teacher, worrying about friends can really add stress and worry to a child’s life. Lavender, Clary Sage, Bergamot, Basil, Chamomile, and Tangerine are some of the many Essential Oils that have a calming and uplifting effect.

Inhaling essential oils have been proven to help students in their studies. Using essential oils can not only help memory recall, but also reduce stress and anxiety, boost energy and calm a person down if need be. With the use of essential oils, along with proper rest, nutrition and quality time, you can prepare and support your children as they face the challenges of getting back into the swing of things at school.

Here are 6 Essential Oil Blends that can be used:

Morning Sunshine: 4 drops of Orange, 4 drops of Peppermint and 4 drops of Lime

Calm Down: 10 drops of Lavender, and 6 drops of Roman Chamomile

Afternoon Energy Boost: 6 drops of Peppermint, 4 drops of Rosemary and 4 drops of Grapefruit

Mental Clarity: 6 drops of Lemon, 2 drops of Basil, 2 drops of Rosemary and 2 drops of Frankincense

Anxiety Helper: 8 drops of Lavender, 4 drops of Lemon and 4 drops of Ylang Ylang

Study and Testing Time: 6 drops of Peppermint, 6 drops of Rosemary and 4 drops of Lemon

Whether your child sustained an injury over the summer, is starting a fall sport, or is just an active kid, it is important to have a chiropractic check-up. Chiropractic is an important part of your health care and can help your family achieve a healthy school year with a healthy nervous system. It is important to make sure your child is in great alignment and free from any discomfort. This will not only enable your child to fight germs and heal faster, but enable a sound body to support a sound mind. Building a strong immune system this school year is vital!

As a parent, there are several things you can do to help your children:

-Water intake is an important habit that often gets overlooked. Drinking water throughout the day promotes detoxification and ensures hydration.

-Limiting your child’s intake of processed and sugary foods is also important. Packaged items are convenient, but contain many extra chemicals that can interfere with natural processes and intensify unwanted behaviors in some children.

-Vitamin D3 coupled with a quality probiotic help build up the immune system

-And just as important, chiropractic adjustments. The nerves that run up and down our spine send messages to all blood vessels, glands and organs. When a vertebra gets out of alignment, the nerve can’t send the messages as effectively and your body can’t fight the stressors.

Children going back to school should serve as an annual reminder for families to have a spinal check-up by a Chiropractor to help e achieve better health and avoid the progression of preventable conditions that negatively impact children who are meant to be a healthy and full of abundant life. Parents often see improvement with ear infections, congestion, bowel issues, sleep issues and even behavior when their children are under regular chiropractic care. Children will spend most of their time in school which is exactly why we have to make sure they’re both healthy and comfortable. Use these tips as your guide to make sure you and your kids are ready for a healthy and successful year. We help all ages here at Bettendorf Chiropractic Wellness Center, so please help your children by preparing them for their best year ever! A healthy spine is the key to a healthy life. Call today for an appointment 563-359-5600.