Most bumps, falls, jolts, bangs, scrapes, sprains and strains that happen to a kid during a long, hot summer of vacation adventures don’t cause any lasting physical problems. Most kids bounce right back to normal because their bones, ligaments and cartilages are flexible and elastic.

 

Yet some childhood mishaps that are seemingly minor and inconsequential can and do lead to very real problems, sometimes soon, sometimes later.

 

MINOR MISHAPS MISLEADING
For example, it is quite common that a torsion of the pelvis (twisting misalignment), caused by a seemingly minor childhood mishap, has made one leg functionally shorter than the other. Surprisingly, this can lead to spinal distortion, vertebral misalignments (subluxations), spinal curvature, scoliosis, spinal disc degenerations and certain forms of arthritis.

 

THOROUGH EXAM
Since no parent can ever know about all the physical mishaps a kid has gotten into during an entire summer of hard play, it’s wise to give him or her a thorough back-to-school chiropractic examination before the child’s time is filled with school and after-school activities. Though the checkup may seem like another thankless task, helping your child to grow into a sound, healthy body may be the most important parental job of all.

 

Checking Your Child’s Leg Length at Home
Back-To-School-Checkup
  • Place two pillows on bed as shown Child lies face down, nose between the pillows so that the head is not tilted or turned to either side.
  • Be sure the mattress supports child so the body does not roll to one side or the other.
  • Arms rest comfortably at the child’s side, straight back, palms up.
  • Ankles (feet) should extend far enough beyond the edge of the bed so that toes point toward floor.
  • LEAVE CHILD’S SHOES ON.
  • Stand directly behind bottom of child’s feel as shown.
  • Push ankles together along an imaginary center line which bisects the child’s body from top to bottom.
  • Check heels for discrepancy in leg length. Does one leg appear to be longer than the other?

 

IF EITHER LEG APPEARS TO BE 1/8 INCH OR MORE LONGER THAN THE OTHER, THE CHILD SHOULD BE CHECKED BY A CHIROPRACTOR. THE SOONER ANY STRUCTURAL PROBLEM IS CORRECTED, THE BETTER.

 

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