Checking your Child’s Spine

Checking your Child’s Spine

Checking your child's spine for problems is important. “We don’t want to irresponsibly or unprofessionally scare parents into bringing their children in for spinal checkups, but we do feel it is our responsibility to inform parents about the importance and value of appropriate spinal care,” says Lake Worth chiropractor Dr. Selinger, who also offers acupuncture in Lake Worth. 

At birth, the spinal column comprises 40% of the total length of the infant. That ratio remains the same even in adult spines.  There is a big difference, though. A newborn’s spine is, on average, less than 10 inches long. The spinal column grows 50% in length during the baby's first year of life. Over the following four years, the spine will continue to grow another 15 cm reaching a length of 51 cm or 20.4 inches. From ages 5-10, the spine grows an additional 10 cm. Once puberty is reached and until the age of 18 the spine will typically grow another 20 cm in males and 15 cm in females.

The shape of the spine at birth is similar to the shape of the letter "C". At around the age of 3 months, as the baby raises its head, the cervical spine gains its "lordosis" or reversed "C" shape curve. Around 6 months of age, the infant adopts a seated and standing posture and the lower back – known as the lumbar spine - also becomes lordotic or "C" shaped in nature.

If you are interested in scheduling an appointment for your child or perhaps are suffering from lower back pain, pinched nerve pain or neck pain in Palm Beach County, we welcome you to call and schedule a consultation or request to speak directly to the doctor.

Why Keeping a Good Posture is Critical for Your Health

Why Keeping a Good Posture is Critical for Your Health

What do you think when you see a person walking with their nose up in the air? “Some people might think this person is snooty, but when their nose is up, their head is up and the shoulders are back. This position has good posture,” says Lake Worth chiropractor Dr. Selinger.

Improving your posture now can help to alleviate neck and back pain and reduce your risk of developing osteoarthritis down the road.

“I tell my patients ‘pick up your head, it will help your neck,’” Dr. Selinger, a neck pain doctor for Lantana-area residents who also treats lower back pain for West Palm Beach residents and offers laser treatments for Boynton Beach residents. 

Having good posture is an important part of taking care of your spine – whether you’re walking, standing, lying down or sitting.

Prolonged sitting is a frequent cause of back and neck pain, but for many – especially those working with computers – it simply can’t be avoided.

“When sitting, it's important to keep the back straight, knees bent, and head centered over the shoulders,” Dr. Selinger, a caring general practice and car accident chiropractor in Lake Worth who also offers arm pain solutions and treats neuropathy in Palm Beach County. “Slouching forward may be comfortable and allow the spinal muscles to relax but gradually overstretches spinal ligaments, leading to back and neck pain among other problems. We always encourage patients to maintain a ‘neutral spine’ position at all times.”

The Pain of Sciatica

The Pain of Sciatica

The sciatic nerve is comprised of nerve roots coming out of the spinal cord into the lower back. The nerve runs through the buttock, down the back of the leg, and reaches down to the ankle and foot. Any compression or irritation of this nerve can cause sciatica, a condition causing pain, numbness, weakness, or tingling in the lower back and down the leg.

 

If you suffer from sciatica, you know that, if you’re lucky, the discomfort can be merely annoying.  You also know that when it’s bad, it is excruciating and can really interfere with your daily life.

Dr. Selinger believes that life is too short to live with constant sciatica pain. This sciatica doctor in Palm Beach offers effective physical therapy and chiropractic care.

There are a number of things that can cause sciatica. The most common cause of sciatica stems from a bulging or ruptured (herniated) spinal disc putting pressure on the nerves.  Sciatica can result from a trauma to the spine, such as from a slip and fall accident or car crash. It can also be caused by spinal stenosis, pinched nerve pain, a tumor, or bone spurs caused by arthritis.

While many cases of sciatica will resolve on their own, there are treatments available from Lake Worth chiropractor Dr. Seliger, to relieve the uncomfortable symptoms and restore you to a pain-free life, including herniated disc treatment and spinal decompression therapy in Lake Worth.