Children and Trees
Driving through Temecula a few days ago, my wife, an avid lover of plants and trees, pointed out that most of the older trees in Temecula all lean toward the east. I hadn’t really noticed before, but she’s right. The frequent steady winds from the ocean have actually altered how the trees have grown.
Any arborist knows that trees need proper support in order to grow straight. Each young tree needs to be properly staked against the prevailing stress of the wind until it is strong enough to stand on its own. Without proper care the tree will permanently bend to the stress of its environment.
Growing children are like growing trees. Children are just as prone to spinal subluxations (misalignments) as adults – and maybe more so. They won’t always complain of pain. They will not ask you to take them to the chiropractor. You see, subluxations (like many other serious health problems) are typically silent in their early phases. This is when misalignments of the spine, pelvis and other joints are doing most of their damage.
How do kids get subluxations? Just think about all the running, jumping twisting, bending and falling a child does in a day. Most children also have to sit in a classroom for several hours each day and many continue to sit in front of a computer or television when they get home. Both the active play and the passive postural strain of prolonged sitting create stresses on the spine that cause subluxations.
Your child is never too young to have their spine checked. Children often receive their first subluxation from the obstetrician as he or she forcefully pulls their neck through the birth canal using their hands, forceps or a giant suction cup on their head. I have even seen children born with broken collar bones from the birth trauma. All children need to have their spine checked by a chiropractor soon after birth. For more on the shocking amount of childbirth neck stress see www.thegreenwoodcenter.com/atlas.php.
What harm is caused by subluxations? There are two major things that happen when the spine is out of alignment. One, the spinal bones can cause pressure on the delicate spinal nerves. These nerves control all the various tissues, organs and glands of the body. They regulate the beating of the heart, the opening of the bronchial tubes, the digestion of food, the activation of the immune system, the function of the reproductive organs. The spinal nerves also control the muscles of the body, allow them to contract and relax with perfect timing for the movement of your body (unless, of course, there is a subluxation!) These nerves also transmit sensations from your body to the brain which is why pain, numbness or tingling can be one possible sign of severe subluxation. Pressure on the spinal nerves can be responsible for nearly any health problem you can think of.
Nerves from the spine also control the balance between sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. This regulates our ability to balance between being either calm or energetic. Children (and adults) who are unable to focus or who seem overly agitated are often exhibiting symptoms of nerve irritation from spinal subluxation. People suffering from fatigue are very often suffering the effects of chronic nerve suppression from severe long term subluxation.
Regular adjustments help our kids stay strong and healthy. Chiropractic is not “alternative healthcare.” The only alternative to chiropractic is living life with a spine full of subluxations and an unhealthy nerve system. The real “alternative healthcare” is found in medicine with drugs to mask the symptoms or surgery to cut out the ailing part. No, there is no alternative to chiropractic. Chiropractic isn’t just “something to try.” It’s an essential part of maintaining your health.
The science of chiropractic has grown tremendously over the past 100 years. The safety and effectiveness of chiropractic is proven. Our technical insight and ability has also grown in this time. The only way you and your children can benefit is to participate in regular care. Finances should never be an issue.
In the minds of many people chiropractic is a “back pain treatment.” But this is absolutely not true. With chiropractic we locate misalignments of the spine that cause nerve interference. Nerve interference in turn can lead to illness and poor health. The purpose of Chiropractic is to maintain a healthy nervous system. Have your kids spines checked today!
Dr. Philip Greenwood, D.C.
Murrieta, California
