Posture problems in your child? Find out how you can help

Postural defects develop in a child as early as the postpartum period. They are caused by various medical conditions or poor birth action. Failure to treat these defects can lead to serious health consequences later in life.

Causes of postural defects

A child is most likely to develop postural defects during growth spurts, falling during:

• 6-7 years – During this time, the muscles cannot keep up with the development of the skeleton and are inadequate support for the growing spine. During the first growth spurt, the child starts going to school and his/her lifestyle changes. He/she spends less time playing outdoors and more time at school or at home – most often with the wrong posture such as sitting with legs curled up, supporting the head with the hands;
• 12- 13 years old – adolescence is the second critical time. If a child at this age becomes accustomed to poor posture, it will be difficult to correct.

The most common posture defects

Round back

Excessive bending of the back to the rear. The characteristics of this posture defect are:

• forward extension of the head and shoulders,
• flattened and sunken chest,
• protruding shoulder blades.

Concave back

That is, a deepened lumbar lordosis. The characteristic features of this postural defect are:

• an increased forward thrust of the pelvis,
• a protruding abdomen,
• protruded buttocks.

Round and concave back

Flat back

The absence of any curvature of the spine that leads to degenerative changes;

Lateral curvature, or scoliosis

Lateral curvature of the spine, or scoliosis, occurs as a result of a static-dynamic disorder of the spine. This disorder may occur during the most intensive growth period, viz:

• between 6 and 24 months of age;
• between 5 and 8 years of age;
• between 11 and 14 years of age.

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How to prevent postural defects in children?

Postural defects can be prevented at any stage of a child’s life.

Prevention of postural defects in infants and young children

1. As often as possible, place a child on its stomach on the so-called froggy position.
2. When carrying a child, change the side on which it is carried – this will help prevent asymmetry.
3. Your baby should sleep on a flat and firm surface – do not give your baby a pillow under the head until 2 years of age.
4. Do not sit your baby up or pull him or her to stand up.
5. Do not put your child in an unstiffened stroller – the lack of a backrest causes the spine to curve into a C-shape.

Prevention of faulty posture in school-age children

1. It is worthwhile to enroll a child in corrective gymnastics.
2. It is necessary to control the child’s posture systematically, e.g. by visits to the doctor.
3. It is worthwhile to exercise with your child every day for min. 15 minutes every day.
4. Encourage your child to be physically active outdoors, e.g. bike rides, walks.
5. Take care of the correct amount of vitamin D3 – the level of this vitamin should be regularly examined and, if necessary, supplemented.
6. Maintain the correct weight of the child – overweight and obesity have a negative impact on the posture.
7. It is worth convincing the child to sleep on a flat pillow, which is better for the spine. A child of school age should sleep about 10 hours a night.
8. The height of the desk and chair should be adjusted to the child’s height.
9. A schoolbag should have a padded back and adjustable straps. The backpack should rest on the child’s back and not on the bottom. The schoolbag should only contain the necessary things, so it does not weigh too much.

Prevention of faulty posture is very important. Thanks to this, you can protect your child from health problems in adulthood

Main photo: Karolina Grabowska, source: pexels.com