About a year ago, Toronto mom Shira Blum* finally decided to do something about her seven-year-old daughter?s gait. ?Yael had always walked a little funny, which is kind of normal for a toddler, but it didn?t go away,? says Blum, who describes her daughter?s feet as being slightly turned in. This created tightness in Yael?s hips and affected her movement, posture and even the way she danced.
Despite Yael?s doctor being unconcerned, Blum took Yael to her own chiropractor, who worked on her feet, hips and knees. It helped a bit, but she says the real magic was an appointment with a rolfer. (Rolfing is often described as a type of deep-tissue massage and body manipulation; it?s considered alternative medicine and its benefits are scientifically unproven.) ?I was amazed,? she says. ?After just one session, she was standing more upright and her feet were straighter versus turned in.? Even if your kid doesn?t show any signs of unusual gait or excessive slouching, you should still keep an eye on their overall posture and teach them ?spinal hygiene? to keep their backs happy in the long term. Here are some tips.
1. Find a backpack that fits
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, backpacks that are too heavy or are worn incorrectly can cause muscle and joint injury, along with back, neck and shoulder pain. Look for a pack with wide, padded shoulder straps and a waist strap to help with weight distribution. Encourage your child to wear their backpack on both shoulders rathe...