Childhood Falls and Health Problems
Research led by Jessie Garciaguirre and Karen Adolph published in Introduction to Infant Development, Oxford Press, 2007, showed that fourteen month old toddlers fall an average of fifteen times per hour while playing. Fifteen times! That is not a trivial number especially when you begin to add the number of falls they take during a day, a week, a month or a year. The cumulative impact of these repetitive falls can cause problems in the spine and nervous system that contribute to many unexplainable health problems.
Do the math! Fifteen falls per hour, six hours minimum per day, is approximately 90 falls a day. This equals nearly 700 falls per week, and up to 2,500 falls per month. And while their young bodies are capable of adapting to the environment during their developmental years, these repetitive strains can be overwhelming and cause injuries to the spine and nervous system that affect their health on every level. In addition, these falls can cause abnormal spinal patterns that become lifelong problems and lead to unhealthy aging.
Injuries to a child’s spine called vertebral subluxations can result from these falls. They can also be caused by trauma from the birth process. Research out of the University of Colorado by Seth Sharpless, M.D. found that it only takes 10 millimeters of pressure, the weight of a dime, to reduce nerve transmission. While this amount of pressure may seem insignificant, it is enough to wreak havoc within a growing body and cause immediate symptoms, or it may remain symptom-free and go unrecognized for years. Also, since not all nerve interference is felt as pain and can affect the organs, many unexplainable health problems can result.
The medical profession is well aware of these types of conditions and has termed them "Medically Unknown Symptoms" [MUS]. These are conditions for which there are no medical examination findings even though the individual may be suffering from symptoms such as pain, irritable bowel syndrome, non-cardiac chest pain and fibromyalgia [Hatcher, S, Arrol B. Assessment and management of medically unexplained symptoms. BMJ 2008; 336:1124].
In fact, among patients seeking medical care, the prevalence of MUS is in the range of 50 %, varying from 25 to 75 %, with pain being the most common symptom [Smith RC, Dwamena FC. Classification and diagnosis of patients with medically unexplained symptoms. J Gen Intern Med 2007; 22:685].
The nervous system controls and coordinates the function of every cell, tissue and organ in the body, and adapts you to your environment. Because of the vast nature of nervous system control, many symptoms related to spinal injuries are overlooked and unexplainable through traditional medical examinations. This can be true with many childhood maladies ranging from ear infections and digestive disturbances to growing pains.
A chiropractic examination can determine whether repetitive falls may be affecting your child’s health and development. This important, non-invasive examination can ensure the healthy function of their spine and nervous system, and a healthy future.
A common-sense solution to your child’s unexplainable health concerns may be right around the corner. Or, if you want to ensure that your child’s spine and nervous system are developing normally in spite of all their falls, this comprehensive spinal examination can give you the security you are looking for.
Either way, explaining the unexplainable may be a phone call away. Don’t waste another minute in worry or wonder. Make an appointment for your child today.
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For more information, questions that you may have, or would like to schedule an appointment, please contact Dr. Langford
