For reasons out of their control, many young people today have chronically poor posture, sometimes leading to painful musculoskeletal health problems. Children and teenagers spend many hours a day seated in classrooms, then must go home and use a computer for hours more to complete homework and school projects. Students’ backpacks have become increasingly heavier and more awkward to lift, with more textbooks and the need to bring a laptop to and from school. Even many of the kinds of recreation available to them involve electronic devices and being sedentary. The long-term results of poor posture are beyond just a slouching appearance and a few aches, and can include lasting pain and immobility in crucial body areas like the neck, back, and shoulders.
Fortunately, physical therapy is well-equipped to correct postural problems and alleviate the resulting symptoms for patients of any age. There are a number of modalities that can target and relieve the various causes of incorrect posture. At JAG Physical Therapy, the local PT leader in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, our compassionate and skilled therapists have helped countless kids and teenagers sit, stand, move, and feel better at school and home. Schedule an appointment now to get started or see more below on how we can help your child be proactive about posture.
What Are the Signs That My Child May Have Postural Problems?
The pain caused by posture-related issues is often invisible, but unideal posture itself is often clearly visible. You only need to know what to look for in order to spot different kinds of postural problems. Two very common ones in younger people are rounded, pushed-forward shoulders – a slouch – and a corresponding forward angle in the resting position of the head. This latter issue is sometimes called “tech neck” because it can be associated with craning the neck to view a computer or phone screen for extended periods. If your child tells you their neck or upper body hurts and it’s not because of an injury, this could also point to a posture problem that could be helped by physical therapy.
Less obvious signs include an uneven appearance of the shoulders or hips, shoulders that are often held overly high or tensed, and fatigue after staying in one position too long (such as extended sitting or standing). Above all, if your child brings up a musculoskeletal health issue with you, listen to what they have to say. These signs are not a normal part of physical development and not “just a phase”, and children’s pain should be treated as seriously as adults’ is.
How Does Targeted Therapy Improve My Child’s Posture?
Pediatric physical therapy uses a wealth of different techniques to help children achieve better musculoskeletal health in a safe, non-invasive way. When working with a child who has pain due to postural issues, a physical therapist will usually start by teaching the patient, in an age-appropriate way, how to correct their posture day-to-day. This involves building body awareness and giving instructions on the correct positions to use for different situations, such as sitting at a desk or reading while in bed.
Exercise is also a key method in improving posture for kids or teens. The exercises young PT patients will do during their appointments include strengthening the core and back muscles and improving flexibility and joint alignment. The educational facet of pediatric PT also includes teaching patients fun and easily memorable routines they can consistently do at home and school. Therapists can also advise parents on how to best arrange furnishings and other items at home so their child can maintain good ergonomics.
What Are the Long-Term Benefits of Early Postural Intervention?
Young physical therapy patients who have their posture corrected now will see improvements well into the future. There is a statistically significant correlation between posture problems as a child and chronic musculoskeletal pain as an adult – pediatric PT can reduce this risk a good deal. Children and teenagers also enjoy greater energy, improved confidence and overall mood, and better ability to focus after dealing with postural issues through PT. Moreover, student athletes who work on their on-field form and everyday posture in physical therapy perform better in their sports of choice and can avoid getting injured as often.
JAG Physical Therapy Supports Healthy Growth and Posture
The team at JAG PT has extensive experience in pediatric physical therapy, and has helped countless young people throughout New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania attain better posture and heal from many types of musculoskeletal health problems. With over 160 convenient locations, we are sure to be close by, and all our patients have access to the most advanced physical therapy methods and equipment. Book an appointment now to help your child stand tall and maintain optimal joint, muscle, and skeletal health.
