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Health & Fitness

Are You Guilty of Child Neglect? Chiropractor Counts Down Her Top 10 No-Nos

The health of children can suffer simply because well-meaning parents are not aware or have not carefully thought of the consequences.

Many people upon hearing the term "child neglect" immediately conjure up images of children who beaten, molested, hungry, deprived or with no shoes on their feet.

These are good examples of classic neglect and abuse, but there are other forms out there. I'm referring to what I call the neglect well-meaning parents often subject their children to simply because they are not aware or have not carefully thought of the consequences.

My top 10 are:

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1.   Failure to have a newly-born baby checked by a pediatric chiropractor for subluxationsafter birth: Statistics indicate that 85 to 90 percent of all children have a vertebral subluxation, usually in the neck area, from the stress and strain of simply being born. These subluxations, or spinal misalignments, affect the manner in which your baby’s developing nervous system transmits information from the brain to all parts of his body. I think you’ll agree that it is extremely important to have your baby’s nervous system and body function with no interference. Subluxations represent a major interference to health.      

2.   Children NOT receiving regular chiropractic check-ups: This is so important for normal health maintenance. Too often, I check a child to find a developing spinal curvature, a budding knee problem, the beginnings of asthma and more.

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3.   More than two hours of TV daily: Often, the common position of a child lying on the floor, head held in the hands, supported by his elbows, puts tremendous stress on the spinal cord and can create interference with the nervous system.

4.  Vaccination: This is a huge topic, and one I’ll address in future blog posts. For the time being, let’s just say many parents subject their children to this ritual with no thought given to the long-term health implications. If you would like our well-researched information on vaccination, please call our office.

5.   Consumption of alcohol, prescription or over-the-counter drugs, smoking, etc., while pregnant.  

6.   Failure to breast-feed for a minimum of six months (This will be another topic I’ll cover in subsequent issues). For example, breast-fed babies are reportedly smarter than their counterparts and have fewer health problems.

7.   The use of “jolly jumpers” and walkers before a child has developed the ability to sit, stand or walk.

8.   Chronic consumption of cow’s milk (it’s really only meant for cows), fast foods and other forms of junk food.

9.   Smoking in the presence of a child: It is now illegal to smoke around other community members in public restaurants, yet some parents still think it is okay for their kids.

10. Failure to implement progressive developmental educational programs.

If you would like additional information on any of the above, please call me personally.


See you in two weeks!

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