Now that your kids are back at school and getting settled. At Caring Chiropractic Center, our Coon Rapids MN chiropractor strongly encourages local parents to bring their children in for annual screens to ensure that their kids are prepared for the demands of sports and academics—after all, we've all seen those heavy backpacks!

THE IMPORTANCE OF SCREENING FOR KIDS

Screenings for children are important for several reasons:

• Children go through a lot of rapid growth as they age, which can give way to a lot of change and physical stresses.
• Many childhood health conditions can go unnoticed in the earliest stages. Regular screening improves the chances of early detection and intervention, which can improve overall outcomes.
• Sports injury and other types of conditions can often be avoided if hidden risk factors (like poor posture, heavy backpacks, and muscle length imbalances due to growth spurts) are identified and addressed early on.

One of the most common health conditions we screen for at our chiropractic clinic in Coon Rapids MN is scoliosis.

WHAT IS SCOLIOSIS?

About 6 to 9 million people are believed to have scoliosis, which is an abnormal side-to-side spinal curve. It can vary in severity and type and may be caused by various factors including genetics, birth trauma, and certain congenital disorders.

Scoliosis is usually diagnosed between the ages of 10 and 15. While not everyone with scoliosis will need care, early detection is important so that the condition can be monitored as a child grows and supportive therapies can be implemented as needed to minimize complications like back pain, deformity, and breathing difficulties (in severe cases).

SIGNS OF SCOLIOSIS

Our chiropractor can detect scoliosis via physical exams and health history questionnaires. We look for common signs including:

• Uneven head, shoulders, ribs, hips, or waist
• One leg may appear shorter than the other
• Clothes may not hang evenly or properly
• Ribs or a part of the spine may bulge out when bending forward