Oh boy! Your children are teenagers now. Where did the time go? Well, at this stage of development we start to see our children slowly growing toward adulthood. This stage poses some new stressors that had not previously been prevalent. Social expectations become very stressful, technology becomes a more prominent part of their lives, and we won’t even mention the thought of college looming over them. Children have a hard time disconnecting in today’s age, so we must be vigilant in noticing for any abnormal behaviors.  

STRESS

Teenagers, like adults, may experience stress every day and can benefit from chiropractic care. Most teens experience more stress when they perceive a situation as dangerous, difficult, or painful and they do not have the resources to cope. Some sources of stress for teens include:

• School demands and frustrations
• Negative thoughts or feelings about themselves
• Changes in their bodies
• Problems with friends and/or peers at school
• Unsafe living environment/neighborhood
• Separation or divorce of parents
• Chronic illness or severe problems in the family
• Death of a loved one
• Moving or changing schools
• Taking on too many activities or having too high expectations
• Family financial problems

Some teens become overloaded with stress. When this happens, it can lead to anxiety, withdrawal, aggression, physical illness, or poor coping skills such as drug and/or alcohol use.

Chiropractors are armed with powerful tools to combat stress. By working with the spine, the base from which stress impulses radiate throughout the body, a chiropractor can help their patients cope better with stress.

Proper spinal alignment is the first step for reducing stress. When the spine is misaligned, the nervous system is unable to properly send messages through the body. Better spinal alignment means better communication and increased system efficiency. In addition to regular chiropractic care, regular exercise will lower levels of hormones and chemicals that build up from periods of intense stress. You may also see other changes such as being in a better mood, less insomnia and improved self-image.

Chiropractic adjustments release muscle tension, soothe irritated spinal nerves and improve blood circulation—changes that can often alert the brain to switch off the fight-or-flight response so the body can return to a more relaxed state.

While it’s impossible to completely eliminate stress, regular chiropractic care can help negate some of its effects and prevent long-term damage to the body.

Other symptoms your child may experience during this stage:

• Headaches
• Poor concentration
• Fatigue
• Irritability
• Moodiness
• Aches and pains
• Weight gain
• Scoliosis
• Painful menstruation
• Poor balance & coordination

If you do not see a symptom listed or would like more information on any of these symptoms, please reach out to us!