5 easy ways to improve your child's posture

In today's digital age, where screens are a constant companion, ensuring our children maintain a healthy posture is more important than ever. This video is packed with practical, easy-to-implement tips that are designed to seamlessly fit into your family’s daily routine.

Why watch the video?

Here's a sneak peek of what you'll discover:

- Creative, fun solutions to encourage active breaks from screen time

- Simple adjustments to your child's environment that can have a lasting impact on their posture

- And a special tip that involves a fun, bouncy object your kids are going to love!

I've poured my experience and passion into creating content that's both informative and engaging, aiming to empower you and your child with the knowledge and tools for better health. However, the true value of these tips is best experienced through the video itself, where I dive into the "how" and "why" behind each recommendation.

Remember, taking small steps today can lead to significant improvements in your child's well-being tomorrow. So, grab a comfy spot, gather the family, and click the link below to watch the video. It's an investment of time that promises to yield dividends in health and happiness for your child.

Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your journey towards a healthier, happier family. Your feedback is always welcome, and I'm here for any questions or further guidance you might need.

P.S. You are your child’s most influential role model. Watching this video together can be a fun and educational experience that benefits the whole family. Let's make healthy posture a family affair!

Stop devices damaging your child's neck

In an era where digital devices are an integral part of our children's education and entertainment, it's crucial to understand how the setup of these devices can impact their physical health. At Riverside Chiropractic, we've seen a significant increase in children experiencing neck and back pain, headaches, and even signs of early spinal degeneration, often linked to poor posture from incorrect device setup. This comprehensive guide is designed to help you as parents make informed decisions to safeguard your child’s health.

The Hidden Dangers of Poor Device Setup

When a child uses a device with a setup that doesn't support proper posture, it can lead to a range of physical ailments. The most common issues include:

- Slumped Posture: Sitting for long periods without proper back support encourages slumping, which strains the neck and back muscles.

- Neck and Back Pain: Incorrect screen height or distance causes the child to lean forward or look down, leading to strain on the neck and back.

- Headaches: Poor posture can increase tension in the neck muscles, often leading to tension headaches.

- Spinal Degeneration: Over time, poor posture can lead to premature wear and tear on the spine, a condition known as spinal degeneration.

Step-by-Step Guide to Proper Device Setup

- Chair and Desk Ergonomics: Ensure your child sits in an ergonomically designed chair that supports the natural curve of the spine. The desk should be at a height where your child's feet rest flat on the floor, and their arms can comfortably use the keyboard with their shoulders relaxed.

- Screen Positioning: The top of the computer screen should be at eye level. This positioning helps keep your child’s head in a neutral position, reducing strain on the neck.

- Keyboard and Mouse Placement: Place the keyboard and mouse within easy reach. Your child's elbows should be at a 90-degree angle when using them.

- Regular Breaks: Encourage your child to take short breaks every 30 minutes to stretch and walk around. This habit helps reduce muscle fatigue and eye strain.

- Correct Posture Reinforcement: Teach your child the importance of sitting back in their chair with their feet on the ground and avoiding leaning forward towards the screen.

The Long-Term Benefits

By implementing these simple yet effective setup tips, you can help ensure that your child maintains a healthy posture, reducing the risk of developing chronic neck and back pain, and safeguarding their spine as they grow. Good posture goes beyond physical health; it can improve concentration, enhance mood, and boost overall well-being.

As a dedicated chiropractor with a passion for promoting spinal health, I understand the importance of taking proactive steps to protect our children's physical well-being in this digital age. Remember, small changes in their daily habits can have a profound impact on their long-term health. At Riverside Chiropractic, we're always here to help and advise on how best to support your child's spinal health.

For more tips and personalised advice, feel free to reach out to us or visit our clinic. Let's work together to ensure our children grow up healthy and strong in a world where technology is ever-present.

How playing video games can damage your kids

The usual rough and tumble play that kids do can cause injuries throughout childhood and adolescence, but with the growing popularity of video games, some children now experience the same types of aches and pains that their parents get from sitting at a desk all day at work. Positive action steps can help kids prevent common injuries from gaming and potentially reduce the risk of long-term damage.

These injuries come from  the lack of movement and postural strain that comes from sitting for a long time in front of a device, such as, eye strain, strain of the shoulder down to the hand, carpal tunnel syndrome, upper back and neck pain.

While some gaming systems do encourage movement, most games captivate the child for potentially long periods of time with poor posture which is bad news. Joints need to move, think of it as nutrition for them. Sitting for a long period of time and particularly with poor posture can, overtime, cause a detrimental change to your child's posture.

I completely understand that kids being on video games buys us parents some much needed free time, so to minimise the damage here are some small changes that can be made to help your child's joints.

1) Moderation

Simply limiting video game time is a good way to offset potential musculoskeletal problems.  After 1 hour of gaming, balance it out with at least an hour of physical activity. As gaming is often done as a solo activity, make sure your kids are having lots of non-device, face to face time with their friends.

2) Ergonomics

Begin by ensuring the screen is at eye level. Getting kids to stand while playing is a great way to reduce the sedentary impact as we have a natural sway when we stand. Encourage them to keep their bodies in a “neutral” position i.e. head over shoulders and both of these stacked on top of hips. If sitting, try using a chair that has back support as well as cushioned arm rests. 

3) Movement

Take a 15 second “micro-break” every 15 minutes. During this time, they should take their eyes off the screen and move their bodies in the opposite direction to what it has been doing ie for fingers that have been curled, stretch them backwards, if they have been hunching forward, see if they can do a backbend or lie backwards over a gym ball, squeeze their shoulder blades together.

Sitting on a gym ball while playing video games can also encourage small movements as a player shifts to maintain balance which is great for their joints but watch out as you can slouch on anything!

If your kids are anything like mine, they'll stay on their computer playing Minecraft of watching YouTube for hours unless an adult intervenes. It's a good idea to talk to them about how sitting for too long is damaging for their body but be prepared for you monitoring that they actually stick to the time limits and stretches that have been discussed with them cause it's very easy for them to get engrossed in their game. Set a timer to help you remember, we need all the help we can get! 😉

If you’re concerned about your child’s posture or how much time they spend watching/playing on devices, we’re here to help. We’ll do an in-depth assessment on your child to discover what is happening in their body and what can be done about this. Simply book them in for an initial consultation.

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