Pelvic Misalignment
The pelvis is the very foundation of the skeletal system.It is like a bowl. It carries, supports and protects many vital visceral organs as well as being a base of support for the upper body. When this bowl becomes imbalanced it moves in order to find the best point of gravity and support for the body above. The upper body then compensates to accommodate in order to maintain as much balance and propreoception as possible.
It is this compensation that creates symptoms which we try to identify.
The Tests
The first test is a simple forward bend test. The subject places their feet hip distance apart with the toes forming a straight line. They then bend forward to touch their toes while keeping their legs straight. If there is any deviation from the midline which they should bend down on, we can ascertain that there is an issue with misalignment. The degree of deviance from this midline will indicate the severity of the misalignment.
The second test for determining pelvic instability uses the same setup with the subjects feet hip distance and toes in a straight line. The subject is asked to lift the right foot up to hip height. Any lateral movement observed in the hips is an indicator for pelvic instability. The test is repeated on both sides to assess which is the weaker side.
The third test is to combine all the information that we have from the other tests, and cross reference it with the information we have from postural observations attained from the above two tests and general observations of movement and posture.
So how does this affect my child?
The pelvis and spine form one basic central structure. Any strain which occurs in this structure will peak in the weakest area - commonly the lower lumbar spine. Pelvic mis-alignment will cause both ascending and descending dysfunctions - upwards through the spinal column (causing strain on spinal vertebrae segments in the lower, middle and upper back, and also affecting neck, shoulders and arms), and downwards, through the legs (affecting knees, ankles and feet).
With an aligned spinal column, the body will grown in balanced, healthy manner.
Why does it happen?
It can happen for any number of reasons. The most common of which is poor posture. It is important to know that every action the body takes is as a result of the action of many muscles in the body. These work synergistically and antogonistically. Basically, what that means is that for every movement the body makes there should be an opposite but equal movement to keep it balanced. When a child spends his day sitting at a desk, watches TV for 3 hours a day and then curls up into a ball to sleep, the same muscles are being worked all the time. This results in imbalance.
The solution...
The first thing to do is understand what your child’s symptoms are so that you can personally monitor them. This can be done by testing your child using the aforementioned tests. You can also set up some time with me so that I can show you what I observed. If you would like to set up an appoinment you can simply call me on 082 686 7777 or reply to this mail.
The most simple solution for pelvic misalignment is physical activity. Eighty percent of children aged ten suffer from pelvic instability. This percentage decreases exponentially year on year. The children who grow out of it fastest are usually the most physically active. This is mainly due to the fact that they are using a greater range of movements which tend to balance out and strengthen the core muscles.
Spinal checkups can be as important to your child's health as checkups for eyes, ears, nose, and teeth. Corrections of vertebral subluxations in an infant's or child's spine can have a powerful healing effect.
Even a newborn's spine may be misaligned because of the stresses imposed by a difficult birth. Vertebral subluxations have been observed to lead to problems such as vomiting, colic, and lowered resistance to infection, particularly ear-nose-throat illnesses.
Today, more parents bring their young children to a chiropractor for a spinal checkup. Chiropractic care for children can yield dramatic results. Removing vertebral subluxations and aligning the spine releases the body's own power to heal infections and disorders.
Chiropractic care not only produces improvements in physical health, but also in emotional and behavioral states. Many parents notice that children are less upset and more emotionally stable after chiropractic adjustments have been made.
Children with disorders such as hyperactivity, dyslexia, attention deficit disorder, poor posture and other behavioral problems have been shown to benefit from chiropractic care. Children with diseases such as asthma, colic, arthritis, neck and back aches, scoliosis, clumsiness, foot turned in or out, or one shorter leg often can be helped by chiropractic treatment. Chronic ear infections, surprisingly, also may respond well to chiropractic treatment in many cases.
