Does your child complain of growing pains?

There are many reasons for “growing pains”, but one of the main causes is scoliosis. Scoliosis refers to curvature of the spine and is often overlooked.

Many diseases, injuries or traumas can encourage a curved spine to develop. A child’s posture problems include walking badly and slouching or knock-kneed and pigeon-toed, may be the result of scoliosis.

Untreated scoliosis can often give rise to problems in later life, such as pain and deformity. However, early detection and treatment can prevent long term effects.

When can your child have scoliosis?

Scoliosis can develop during infancy or in adolescence. In infants, 90% of scoliosis, with no known cause, spontaneously disappears in the first year; but if it develops after 3 years, it will most likely remain.

Seven to ten year olds are the latest at risk as their spines are growing at a much slower rate than those of 10 to 15 year olds.

Girls are at greater risk as they are more likely to inherit scoliosis from their fathers.

Chiropractic self-checks for at home

Person A: lie on your back on the floor (or on a firm bed) with both legs straight & together.

Person B: Gently push the soles of A’s feet back towards them with the same pressure on each foot. Look at the heels and you will see if one leg is shorter than the other.

Stand in front of a mirror with your arms down by your side and look closely at the angle of your shoulders. You will be able to tell if one shoulder is lower.

Person A: Lie on your stomach

Person B: With your thumb, press firmly on A’s spine between the shoulders and then on all the vertebrae down the spine to the pelvis (don’t press on the neck). This should feel as pain free to A as being pressed on the knuckles

Stand with your back straight and lean to one side as far as you can. Look and feel where the furthest point is that you can reach with your middle finger. Now repeat on the other side. You will be able to judge whether you have restricted movement in your lower spine.

Turn your head to the right as far as you can and make a mental note of how much of your shoulder you can see. Now do the same on the other side. You will be able to tell if your neck has restricted movement on one side.