| It's a fallacy, kids play rough and tumble and | | | | comply with voluntary safety standards for |
| bounce back unharmed. Kids' recover quicker, but | | | | surfacing. Playground surfaces partly are to blame |
| in time, coping mechanisms fail and pain begins. It's | | | | for a 20% increase in fractures, 5-9 year olds are |
| not all fun being a kid, curiosity, audacity, energy | | | | most affected. |
| mean falls, broken bones, and spinal stress. | | | | "Poor posture and loaded backpacks are risk |
| Childhood Injuries swell with bad postural habits | | | | factors for spinal problems in school children," says |
| and lack of physical activity. | | | | John. "Magnified by heavy loads; carried off one |
| The results, by the age of 15, 70+% have 'the | | | | shoulder, or for too long a time," (A study of |
| added potential of low back pain'. | | | | 2,500 South Australian children); roughly half, |
| (a study by T. Duggleby and S. Kumar, Disability | | | | showed new cases of spinal pain. The suggested |
| and Rehabilitation Journal -Dec 1997.) | | | | maximum weight for children is 10% of their body |
| "60-80% of Australians have back problems. The | | | | weight, an amount often exceeded. |
| harm children are doing now sets them up for | | | | Parents can do things for healthy kid's spines, |
| problems later in life, it's vital to look after | | | | reducing the risk of back problems later in life. Is |
| children's spines," says Chiropractor John de Voy. | | | | your child into organised sports, is the coach |
| Sports Kids at higher risk; gymnasts, 86% have | | | | qualified, teaches good physical habits, promotes |
| bouts of back pain, a high rate of cervical spine | | | | suggested safety equipment, and proper clothing. |
| injuries. Basketball players see ankle and knee | | | | Do children get an ample chiropractic approved |
| injuries, and tri-radiate ligaments sprains. Divers | | | | warm-up? |
| risk lumbar spine injury; and weight lifting stress in | | | | Know warning signs of serious problems; constant |
| youths can result in spondylolysis, compression | | | | pain in a child (less then 11 years old), lasting |
| fractures, Schmorl's nodes or Scheuermann's | | | | several weeks, or suddenly at night, interfering |
| Disease. | | | | with school, activities, or there is marked stiffness |
| Playground falls on improper landing surfaces - a | | | | and limitation of motion, fever, or neurological |
| proper surface absorbs the energy of a fall, | | | | abnormalities. (from a study by Sponseller in |
| lowering risk of injury. Check out your local | | | | American Family Physician journal -Nov 1996). |
| playground; see how deep their soft-fall material | | | | "Know the spinal problem signs, teach your kids |
| needs to be for safety. If a rubber surface, call | | | | good postural habits to set your children up for a |
| the school or council, as rubber induces rebound, | | | | life free of chronic pain," says John. "The best gift |
| worsening an injury. | | | | a parent can give their child. |
| 'Choice Australia' checks show 5% of playgrounds | | | | |