Many people think of chiropractic adjustments as something you seek out when you're already in pain and looking for a solution. Thus, teenagers, with their limber and healthy young bodies, might not seem like the typical chiropractic patients. The truth is, though, that chiropractic care can be used as preventative medicine -- not just to treat current problems. In that light, here are three ways teens can benefit from regular visits to the chiropractor.
Reduced risk of sports injuries.
Your teen would not want to sit out a track meet due to runner's knee or miss a season due to a hip injury, would they? Chiropractic care helps reduce the risk of injuries not only in serious teen athletes, but in all teens who spend any amount of time jumping, running, and playing around.
When the back is in proper alignment, weight is distributed evenly across the joints -- the way it is meant to be distributed -- instead of resting unevenly on one side of the body. This reduces joint strain, so overuse injuries are not as likely. Also, chiropractic adjustments increase flexibility, and teens who are more flexible are less likely to stumble or pull a muscle.
Better posture.
If your teen develops poor posture habits while sitting in school, those habits are likely to plague them later in their lives and begin to lead to back pain. On the other hand, developing good posture habits early on sets the stage for better posture in adulthood. When your teen has regular chiropractic adjustments early on, their back stays limber and flexible so they are better able to maintain good posture. Your chiropractor will likely also discuss posture with your teen, showing him or her how to sit in ways that are the least harmful to the back.
Less anxiety and stress.
Many teens suffer from stress and anxiety. Between tests, part-time jobs, and the social pressures put on them at this age, who can blame them? While chiropractic care should not be considered a cure-all for serious mental issues (take your teen to see a physician if you suspect clinical depression or anxiety disorder may be present), it can help ease those everyday worries and blues that plague so many teens. Chiropractic care relaxes the muscles, and studies suggest that this can lead to relaxation of the mind, too. A teen who visits the chiropractor often is likely to be happier and easier to deal with than one who does not.
Share13 January 2016
After suffering with debilitating back pain for years, I decided it might be a good idea to finally meet with a doctor. I didn't want to beat around the bush with the issue, so I headed straight to a specialist who I thought could help me: a chiropractor. Even though it was my first appointment, my doctor was incredible and got to work right away on my problem. He took images of my spine and then talked with me about the results. I found out that several of my vertebrae were eroding, which was putting a lot of pressure on my spinal column. He made adjustments that made me feel a lot better right away. Check out this blog to learn more about how a chiropractor could help you.