As a family-centered wellness practice, Eastern Oklahoma Chiropractic provides the care and advice your child needs for a safe, fun and successful athletic experience.

Sports and Your Child’s Musculoskeletal System

As the saying goes, children aren’t simply smaller versions of adults.

Because their muscles and bones are still growing, kids are at a higher risk of injury from impacts or overuse than the typical adult. At the ends of young bones are areas known as growth plates. These have weaknesses that can intensify injuries, even interfering long-term with normal bone growth.

Common Injuries in Youth Sports

Children are typically injured in two major ways during sporting activities:

Acute injuries (such as broken bones, sprains and bruises) occur suddenly, from a fall, twist or impact.

Overuse injuries (such as tendinitis or shin splints) happen gradually from repetitive motions, especially when the child’s body doesn’t get enough rest time between activities.

Parents and coaches should be alert to signs that a child may have an overuse injury. These include swelling, pain, and reduced performance or interest in practicing.

Common sports injuries in children include:

• Fractures
• Dislocations
• Lower back or neck pain
• Knee injuries
• Shin splints
• Achilles tendon injuries
• Sprains or strains
• Swollen muscles

Tips to Help Your Child Prevent Sports Injuries

The good news is that lots of injuries are preventable with good safety practices, such as:

• Scheduling a sports physical exam for the child before starting a sport
• Using the correct protective gear, such as padding, helmets or shin guards
• Playing a variety of sports, with rest breaks, to avoid overuse injuries
• Doing proper warmups, stretches and cooldowns for physical activities
• Performing strength, aerobic and flexibility exercises that are appropriate for the child and the sport
• Not playing if in pain or fatigued

Also, be sure to encourage healthy habits:

• A balanced diet with fruits, vegetables, lean protein, and fewer processed foods
• Plenty of sleep—at least 8 hours nightly
• Good hydration—especially before, during and after sports

Helping Children Reach Their Best Fitness Potential with Chiropractic Care

Chiropractors work with athletes of all ages and even professional sports teams, providing treatments that align the spine and promote:

• Improved posture
• Reduced chance of injury
• Improved joint function, flexibility and range of motion
• Less pain and inflammation
• Faster recovery
• Better athletic performance

Your child’s chiropractor provides care that is noninvasive and safe. They diagnose and treat the source of pain and coordinate with other medical professionals for your child’s care.  Spinal adjustments are gently modified for children, using only light pressure.

As a bonus, you’ll find that many overall benefits of children’s chiropractic care–such as better immunity, stress relief, and optimized brain development–also carry over to your child’s success in whatever sports they choose.

Contact Eastern Oklahoma Chiropractic to Schedule Your Free Consultation

To get your child started on achieving their best physical fitness potential, call our Broken Arrow office at 918-940-4630 today.

The post Chiropractic Care for Kids Who Play Sports: Why It’s Important first appeared on Chiropractor Broken Arrow.

With travel, though, often comes extra strain on backs and necks. We advise our patients at Eastern Oklahoma Chiropractic that good travel habits, along with keeping the spine in healthy alignment with regular chiropractic care, are the ticket to a pain-free trip.

How Travel Stresses Your Back and Neck

Experts estimate that up to 80% of people eventually suffer from back pain. Hours of travel spent sitting in cars, planes, and trains, plus handling heavy suitcases, make back pain even more likely. Prolonged sitting keeps your spine in a restricted posture. This places increased stress on spinal discs, muscles, and joints and causes leg swelling and joint stiffness.

Traveling is also stressful and tiring, putting you more at risk for muscle and joint strain.

Fortunately, there’s a lot you can do to prevent discomfort on your next trip.

Tips for Protecting Your Back While Traveling

Movement is your key to improving circulation to the spine and minimizing tension in your lower back and hips. 

Exercise in your seat. Car and plane passengers can perform gentle neck and leg stretch. A good one for the neck: tilt your ear toward your shoulder. Hold for 15-30 seconds. 

On car trips: 

Make frequent stops. Take a break at least every one to three hours so you can walk around.

Support your back. If your seat doesn’t have built-in lumbar support, bring a travel pillow or place a rolled-up towel behind your lower back. 

If you’re the driver: adjust the steering wheel to avoid leaning forward. Use cruise control, so your legs aren’t fixed in one position for the whole drive.

For airplane travel:

Pack light and use wheeled luggage. When lifting bags, bend at the knees and avoid twisting movements. 

Keep your body evenly balanced in the airport security line, with weight on both feet. Backpacks should remain on your back or on the floor, not on one shoulder.

Walk around the gate area. While waiting for your flight to be called, stay on your feet—don’t sit before you have to! 

Request an aisle seat to get up for a stroll every hour or two easily. 

Bring a neck pillow to avoid neck strain while napping.

Sit with good posture and feet flat on the floor. Don’t cross your legs–this can reduce blood flow to legs and cause stiffness in muscles.

Chiropractic Care Prepares You for Travel

A spine out of alignment is more vulnerable to injury caused by travel stresses on the body. Chiropractic adjustments manipulate your spine to improve mobility and stability.

Regular visits to your chiropractor for adjustments, rehabilitative exercises, massage therapy, and other treatments help you head into your journey with a strong spine.

Contact Eastern Oklahoma Chiropractic Today to Schedule Your Complimentary Consultation

Our friendly team in Broken Arrow is here to help. Give us a call at 918-940-4630. 

The post How to Keep Your Back in Good Shape While Traveling first appeared on Chiropractor Broken Arrow.

In a recent study, mothers whose babies received chiropractic treatments reported overwhelmingly that they saw significant improvement in their infants after this care. At Eastern Oklahoma Chiropractic, those study results are no surprise. Noninvasive, natural chiropractic care is safe and effective for everyone, from the very beginning of life.

Your Child’s Developing Spine

Normal adult spines are not perfectly straight, but rather are shaped in what is called an S-curve. The spine of a new baby, though, is shaped like the letter C. Babies lie down in this C-curve position, which protects them from too much pressure on their hips and spine.

As babies grow, get stronger and start crawling, they begin to develop their S-curved spine. Giving your baby “tummy time” to strengthen neck and back muscles, as well as lots of space to move around, will help the development of a strong, well-aligned spine.

In adulthood, many people discover problems in their spines that have grown over time and could have been treated effectively earlier in life, sparing them later pain and mobility issues. Chiropractic exams and treatments for children help to head off any brewing spinal issues before they interfere with the child’s development.

Research Shows Mothers Report High Satisfaction with Chiropractic Care for Infants

The 2019 study surveyed more than 2,000 mothers about results of their babies’ chiropractic care. The mothers reported significant improvement for their infants in a number of behavioral areas, including:

• Sleep issues, such as babies’ problems sleeping on their backs
• Pain
• Restricted neck motion
• Feeding difficulties
• Excessive crying

The research showed that 82 percent of mothers reported clear overall improvement in their children after chiropractic care. Even more–95 percent–felt that the treatments were cost-effective, and nearly 91 percent gave their satisfaction a rating of 8 or more on a scale up to 11 points.

In addition, after their children’s treatment, the mothers even reported improvement in their own levels of anxiety, depression and positive feelings about motherhood.

Safe, Gentle Chiropractic Treatments for Babies

It’s not uncommon for babies to be born with spinal problems caused by their position in the womb. Chiropractic care can help their musculoskeletal systems move into the proper shape and ensure a smooth progression through their developmental milestones as they begin to crawl and walk.

Spinal adjustments offer benefits to children in a number of areas, including mobility, brain development, immunity, breathing issues, digestion, and more.

Children receive a gentle, modified version of the adjustments used on adults, using light pressure that is safe and highly effective for their young spines.

The study of mothers confirms the emotional and physical benefits of helping babies and their spines get off to their best possible start in life.

For Your Complimentary Consultation, Contact Our Office in Broken Arrow

Our friendly staff welcomes your baby and the whole family. Call 918-940-4630 for your appointment.

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Otitis media (middle ear infections) represents the most frequent reason for physician visits for children under the age of fifteen in the U.S. Otitis media also serves as the most common infection in children for which doctors prescribe antibiotics. Approximately 10% of infants will experience at least one ear infection by the age of three months. 50% of children experience more than three episodes of ear infections by age three. The annual cost associated with the management of pediatric ear infections exceeds five billion dollars!

Observation period

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) determined that clinical practice guidelines for the management of an ear infection should begin with an initial observation option period. The observation option period refers to deferring antibiotic treatment for 48-72 hours. A concerning survey showed that only 15% of physicians use the observation option. The reason for concern stems from the proven reality that antibiotic treatment causes very damaging effects to gut health.  It is believed medication should not be a first option, especially in children unless absolutely necessary. Additional research published in 2010 shows that every infant under the age of 6 months old who consumed two or more rounds of antibiotics experienced an alarming 72% higher risk of asthma.

What is the medical approach?

A prescribed medical course of treatment typically consists of a 7-10 day course of antibiotics. Amoxicillin tends to be the recommended first line therapy for antibiotic management of ear infections. A child experiencing multiple ear infections in one year often receives a surgery recommendation from their doctor. Doctors perform millions of ear tube surgeries on children each year. Many of these procedures result in little to no success.

What causes ear infections?

A common characteristic amongst many ear infection sufferers traces back to a traumatic birth experience. One author has stated that birth trauma and caesarian section children become naturally susceptible to a higher incidence of ear infections. These findings trace back to a lack of cranial molding during the birth process or a small, subtle misalignment of the upper cervical spinal bones called subluxation. Subluxation produces interference in the central nervous system, increasing the susceptibility of an ear infection.

The Chiropractic Solution

Numerous studies demonstrate the effectiveness of a Chiropractic adjustment to help an infant or child overcome an ear infection. One study showed that 93% of all ear infection episodes improved while under Chiropractic care with 75% of them improving in ten or fewer days. 43% experienced improvement with only one or two treatments. Another study showed that children receiving Chiropractic care experienced fewer overall episodes of ear infections, a reduction in uses of antibiotics, fewer surgeries, and more surgery-free months.

Chiropractors do not seek to treat the ear nor does the adjustment cure the infection. The body already possess tremendous ability to heal or prevent an ear infection. The Chiropractic adjustment scientifically reduces stress from the nervous system, improving immunity and the ability for the body to drain and heal the ear infection. All parents and children benefit from understanding the benefits of Chiropractic adjustments for children with ear infections.

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The annual arrival of fall accompanies children returning to school. Many families choose this time to reestablish and recommit to basic daily routines. Bedtimes, wake-up times, and activity schedules produce a set of norms for families and children. Detailed attention to health also requires a routine in order to flourish, including basic spinal screening for scoliosis.

Changes to the Routine

Summertime tends to have its own set of norms and routines ranging from nutrition to quantities and qualities of sleep patterns. A return to school produces the perfect time to invest in some healthy habits for every member of the family. Parents tend to stay cognizant of getting annual physicals and dental checkups on the calendar. However, spinal hygiene may very well be the most important health concern of all. A basic scoliosis screening by a school nurse represents a tiny fraction of investment into a physical area deserving of so much more attention. Studies prove that a direct link exists between spinal asymmetries and whole-body health. A return to school accompanies new activities, new backpacks, and new periods of seated learning.  This presents a long list of reasons to ensure that every child’s spinal health empowers them to have a great year full of abundant health.

What is the importance of the spine?

The purpose of the spine goes well beyond the structure. Research explains that when a spinal vertebra moves incorrectly or becomes misaligned, a cascade of pathways triggers adversely in the spinal cord and nervous system. The alteration in the spine and nerve pathways, known as vertebral subluxation, predisposes a child or adult to several organic health problems as well as the progressive condition called scoliosis. Scoliosis identifies as a condition where the spine becomes increasingly curved and deformed. Scoliosis comes in all degrees but can be very progressive in young children.

A 2000 study showed that even subtle changes to the health of the spine puts stress on the nervous system and sets the stage for scoliotic curves to form. The biggest factor in preventing or treating scoliosis comes from early detection. Scoliosis progresses with an absence of symptoms. Much like high blood pressure and cavities, the presentation of symptoms comes long after a detrimental condition exists.

Understanding the development of scoliosis empowers parents with the purpose

Chiropractic care provides an opportunity to proactively attend to a young person’s overall health in both the spine and organs. Spinal health plays a tremendous role in longevity and quality living and tends to be frequently overlooked by medical professionals until a severe condition like scoliosis begins showing symptoms. The return to school serves as an annual reminder to get children back into healthy routines and norms. Regular spinal checkups sit atop the pyramid of a proactive healthy routine. Children, infants, and adults all receive an active benefit to long term health through preventative care provided by proactive maintenance of the body. Chiropractic care positively impacts health, growth, and long-term quality of life. Make Chiropractic part of the back to school routine.

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A baby’s spine also differs from an adult in proportion to the head. A baby’s head tends to be oversized and needs spinal and muscle growth to enable better support and bracing capabilities. Instability in the spine requires underdeveloped neck muscles to carry a greater load when supporting the oversized head. These factors do not represent a flaw in development, but a design and function more sophisticated than the world’s most advanced supercomputers. The infant spine began successfully supporting and protecting newborns thousands of years ago. Modern science simply developed into an academic understanding of the importance of spinal health and alignment from birth into adulthood.

A child’s neck represents the most common location of spinal injury. Chiropractors locate and correct small neck injuries in children caused by falls, sports, accidents, and general rambunctious play. The most predominant type of neck injury occurs to a baby’s neck and spine through the trauma of the birthing process. Labor, delivery, and pregnancy factors also play into the risk and cause of neck trauma as an infant’s transition from the cramped womb and birth canal into mother’s arms.

A 2015 study found a variety of factors which led to higher risk of injury during birth. Factors include maternal pelvic mobility (the mother’s pelvic alignment and movement), type of labor, number of births for the mother, fetal head delivery, labor augmentation, caesarean delivery, and duration of labor. The most startling finding from the study correlated the duration of labor to an increased risk of spinal dysfunction in newborns. Longer labor and delivery revealed more areas of injury to the baby’s spine. The upper neck represents the most commonly compromised location of spinal birth trauma. Even normal labor and deliveries assumed to be without complication still result in neck problems for newborns.

Chiropractors specialize in the detection and correction of subtle, yet significant injuries related to birth trauma. Most birth trauma and injuries go undiscovered and unaddressed by pediatricians and delivery specialists because babies cannot express a source of pain, irritation, or discomfort. Neck problems within a fragile and flexible infant do not usually manifest as pain. The spinal stress usually presents through altered neurological function which develops in the form of ear infections, colic, or nursing challenges. The study made very clear that the identification and treatment of altered spinal and neurological dysfunction led to improved health in newborns.

Chiropractors specialize in detecting and correcting areas of misalignment and reduced motion in the spine for all ages – infants to adults. A baby’s spinal size certainly measures smaller than that of an adult, but an incredible number of similarities also exist between these precious bundles of nerves. Regular Chiropractic care for the whole family improves spinal and neurological function, mobility, and whole-body health. An optimally functioning spine represents an invaluable source of life and vitality for infants, children, and adults. Chiropractic works for the entire family.

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It is the end of summer and children returning to school represents a time for check-ups and annual measurements. Children usually take an annual trip to a physician for baseline monitoring of blood pressure, heart, and physical wellness. Older student-athletes undergo mandatory physicals to participate in athletics and activities.  They also receive guidance on nutrition, training, exercise, and sport-specific issues.

What about Chiropractic as the kids go back to school?

These annual exams represent the same reasons a parent would take their children to a Chiropractor for an evaluation. The health and wellness of the family begins with preventative measures. Prevention is designed to maintain health through proactive measures which actively prevent the onset of sickness, disease, and injury. The same parents who invest such care in pediatric and athletic exams often overlook the importance of spine and nervous system care. Preventative care plans begin with Chiropractic.

How does chiropractic help children and how does it pertain to back to school?

The spine intimately connects to the function of the brain and nervous system. Also it regulates the overall health of the body. A misaligned spine that does not move appropriately alters feedback in the central nervous system. This will set off a cascade of hormones that lead to or contribute to unwanted symptoms that present as sickness and disease. A compromised nervous system decreases function and performance in the brain and body.

Spine and postural health remain as important to health, function, and quality of life as good nutrition and exercise.

Research done by medical doctors and published in the reputable Spine medical journal revealed the influence of posture on overall body health and well-being. Studies evaluated spine and postural health using x-rays and plumb-line measurements along with other health measurements and recorded subjective data. Patients listed specific, unwelcome symptoms or ailments that went along with objective measurements of blood pressure, pulse, and respiration. Research authors found that every recorded aspect of health deteriorated as measurements of posture deviations (shifts in posture) got worse.

This study further details the importance of healthy posture, spinal alignment, and spinal movement. Abnormal posture or small shifts in the spine referred to as a subluxation, operate like cavities in the teeth. They slowly and painlessly form in the back and neck and take root before ever festering with symptoms that declare a problem exists. The intimate relationship between the spine and nervous system makes subluxations a critical component in altering mood, hormones, and function. Poor alignment results in loss of focus, inability to concentrate, less energy, and issues with immunity and digestion. This is because the central nervous system regulates organs and functions. Maintaining a healthy spine serves to only enhance the health and well-being of every member of the family.

Annual checkups to the physician and athletic staff represent routine landmarks on the path to a healthy year. Chiropractic care provides a key element that enhances the physical, mental, and emotional health potential of the entire family. The start of a new school year offers new possibilities and new beginnings. Chiropractic offers the beginning of a healthier future.

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These counterparts even exist in the world’s most popular sport. More professional and amateur athletes participate in soccer than in any sport in the world. Soccer requires both physical skill and mental strategy to work as a team with the singular objective of kicking the ball into the opposing team’s goal. The most interesting and unique aspect of soccer involves players pursuing their objective without being able to touch the ball with their hands. The rules make soccer both challenging and fun while also subjecting players to significant short and long-term health challenges and sports injury.

What makes soccer different?

Players compensate for their hands by advancing and scoring using their feet, chest, and head to kick, block, or pass the ball. One method of advancing a ball in flight involves executing a “header”. This is when a player impacts the ball by using their head and forehead to impact and direct the ball. Such collisions do not occur without consequence.

Just how much damage happens with a header?

Research showed the amount of force generated while completing a header averages as much as 450 lbs. on the head, neck, and spine. The study revealed that the cervical spine absorbs a significant amount of force when a player uses their head to strike the ball. Degeneration of the cervical spine (neck vertebrae) for some soccer players occurs as much as 10-20 years earlier in than that of the normal population. The advanced health deterioration originates from the high impact trauma to the neck vertebrae caused by heading the ball. Other significant pathologies found in the spines of soccer players included disc bulging, bone spurs, disc protrusions, loss of the normal neck curve, and spinal cord compression.

These traumatic consequences originate from heading a soccer ball regularly.

The forward movement of the head towards the ball creates a collision which poses significant long-term health risks along with sports injury. Many soccer players establish and maintain a health-restoring relationship with a Chiropractor for the sake of their long-term performance and wellness. All soccer players need to understand the importance of proactive care and prevention for the trauma inflicted by repeated collisions to the head and neck. Waiting until pain and symptoms surface usually indicates the already existing presence of degenerative damage. Chiropractic adjustments keep the spine in alignment and moving properly to avoid the buildup of adhesions which lead to scar tissue and degeneration. The spine also provides stress-reducing side effects from each adjustment that removes stress from the central nervous system.

Other precautions and action steps that accompany Chiropractic care to mitigate long term spinal damage from soccer include: 

• Insist all players learn and implement proper heading techniques.
• Engage with a Chiropractor regularly to ensure that every athlete maintains proper alignment and movement throughout the spine.
• Utilize neck extension exercises and use a proper pillow.
• Strengthen and stretch the extensor muscles of the back on a regular basis.
• Consume a diet filled with anti-inflammatory foods and spices. Excellent food choices include avocados, coconut oil, green leafy vegetables, and turmeric.

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Being healthy matters. Laser focus, sound concentration, freedom from pain, and adequate energy levels represent important factors in reaching greater potential. An old adage states that a healthy human envisions thousands of goals, dreams, and aspirations; but someone facing sickness envisions only one. The adage speaks to the value of a healthy future for all growing children. A new school year marks a transition to new grades, new obstacles, new social interactions, and new environments. Chiropractic care provides a health and performance advantage for infants and children of all ages.

Extensive, evidence-based research documents how Chiropractic adjustments facilitate improved health and function. Over 120 years of science details how Chiropractic adjustments improve brain and nervous system health. An intimate connection exists between the spine, brain, and central nervous system. The health of the spine directly influences the health and function of the entire body. Chiropractic care intentionally focuses on unlocking health potential by creating harmony within the body, allowing organs and systems to function at their greatest capacity. Children under Chiropractic care report improved health, better intellectual and physical performance, and the reduction of unwanted symptoms related to previously existing conditions. A healthy spine creates opportunities.

Research from 2016 showed Chiropractic adjustments impact the pre-frontal cortex in the brain. The prefrontal cortex manages all executive function. Examples of executive function include focus control, concentration, learning, and personality. This study showed that a Chiropractic adjustment improved performance in the pre-frontal cortex by more than 20%. Numerous other studies also emphasize the impact and benefits of Chiropractic care on children of all ages.

Spinal adjustments do not focus on treating one specific condition. Chiropractors emphasize pain-free and drug-free solutions for parents who want the brightest future possible for their children. One in every four children currently suffers from a chronic ailment for which they receive medication. Proper spinal alignment reduces interference in the brain and nervous system and allows the body to utilize tremendous potential to heal and resolve digestive, cardiovascular, mental, and immunity concerns. Unlocking health potential in the body translates into limitless opportunities for all children. Bright futures shine even brighter with Chiropractic.

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