Expert Warnings on Children's Spine Health During the School Season
Stating that attention should be paid to children's spine health with the start of the school season, Op. Dr. Adnan Karaoğlu issued warnings regarding backpack usage and seating arrangement.
With the start of the school season, there is a significant change in children's daily physical activities. Children, who move more during the summer months, transition to a routine where they sit at a desk for long periods when school begins. Experts state that this sudden change can lead to neck, back, and lower back pain in children.
Physical Changes During the School Season
With the start of the school season, there is a significant change in children's daily physical activities. Children, who move more and spend time outdoors during the summer months, transition to a routine where they sit at a desk for long periods when school begins.
Since children's muscles, joints, and spines are still in the process of development, this sudden change can manifest in some children as pain or posture-related complaints in the neck, back, and lower back regions.
Proper Backpack Usage
Stating that school bags frequently come up for discussion in terms of children's spine health, experts emphasize that the issue is not just about weight. Placing the bag correctly on the body is of great importance.
It is necessary to use both shoulder straps of the bag together, carry it as close to the back as possible, and distribute the load evenly. Carrying it constantly on a single shoulder can cause fatigue in the neck and back.
Working Environment and Seating Arrangement
Although it is important for children to sit in the correct position while studying, it is stated that constant warnings to sit upright are not a solution on their own. The working environment must also be suitable for the child.
If the desk and chair height are not suitable for the child or if their feet do not touch the ground, the body looks for a comfortable position. The aim is not to keep the child in a flawless posture for hours, but to prevent them from staying in the same position for a long time.
Growing Pains and Misconceptions
It is stated that the pain seen in children is sometimes evaluated by families as growing pains, but it is not correct to attribute every pain to growth.
Recurrent or gradually increasing back and lower back pain, pain that appears with movement, and discomforts that wake the child from sleep at night must be taken into account and evaluated.
Body Asymmetries and Scoliosis
It is stated that parents should monitor asymmetries in children's bodies, and that one shoulder appearing higher than the other can have different causes.
It is emphasized that these findings do not directly mean scoliosis, but asymmetries that newly emerge during the growth age should not be neglected and should be evaluated by an orthopedics specialist.
Expert Recommendations and Observation
It is stated that children may not always be able to express the pain they experience accurately, therefore changes in walking and backpack-carrying habits should be observed.
It is recommended to consult an orthopedics and traumatology specialist without wasting time when recurrent pain, conditions that wake the child from sleep at night, and prominent body asymmetries are observed.