Chiropractic Care Tips for Back to School Students

Most students would agree that vacations are the perfect time to be free from their school responsibilities. They can feel a sense of relief to have time to relax and focus more on their hobbies and generally themselves. But as vacations come to an end, it's time to go back to school and get back on lessons and projects these students can learn along the way. It can be troubling to some students especially when they are not used to sitting for hours listening to lectures. Some may even think of getting chiropractic care to help them adjust.

Coming back to school can be a challenge to some. With just getting back from vacation, students may sometimes need to adjust to the demands of their school, such as waking up early, having most of their time occupied with school work and projects, and even sitting for long hours on one seat. 

A common concern for most students is stress and having body aches and pains due to staying in one position for hours or not being able to shift their place as much as they want. These body aches are commonly described as back aches, with 57.9% of students complaining about it.

It is crucial to prioritize your health, especially in stressful situations schools sometimes have. With 60% of students experiencing stress in Canada and most of the student population experiencing bodily pains as they study, knowing what to do to alleviate these health concerns is crucial. In line with this, chiropractic care has been a popular way to lessen these issues and other health-related problems. And although having a chiropractor can help, there are more than enough ways to reduce these health issues yourself, even when you are studying.

Chiropractic care is a vital part of a student's life as they go on with their days studying for hours on end. Even as simple as picking the right chair and furniture is part of chiropractic care that can make a huge difference in a student's health.

Want to know some chiropractic tips for students who are coming back to school? Read more to find out.

Possible Health Concerns for Students 

#1 Headaches

Many people experience headaches that may be due to their health, age, and overall lifestyle. Students are most likely to experience headaches or head-related pains. These pains can be caused by lack of sleep, stress, food, and more.

According to the National Headache Foundation, most college students experience a common type of headache called a tension headache. This refers to a frequent, non-throbbing, bilateral pain caused by neuronal and chemical imbalances in the brain. The tightening of the scalp or neck may also be related to this type of pain.

Students are commonly affected by these pains because they spend too much time in a straining position, hunching over when reading or writing for assignments, or sitting in an uncomfortable position.

#2 Depression and Anxiety

Depression and anxiety are two of the most well-known mental health problems people face. With more than 264 million people who suffer from depression and an estimate of 284 million people experiencing anxiety worldwide, it is no surprise that students may experience these mental illnesses. 

According to the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards or IBCCES, these mental disorders can negatively impact the students' ability to enjoy and learn in school, especially those who have undiagnosed anxiety and depression.

The reason why some students experience these disorders vary. It can be caused by their environment at home, at school, and generally anywhere that could potentially impact them significantly, with stress a contributing factor in having anxiety and depression.

WebMD lists some of the reasons why students, or people in general, experience depression. They include the following:

• Abuse - Emotional, physical, or sexual abuse can make people vulnerable to depression in their life.
• Loss or Death - Some people who grieve with losing a loved one can increase the risk of having depression.
• Genes -  A family history of depression can increase the possibility of having this mental illness.   

On the other hand, anxiety can be caused by factors such as a person's physical condition, mental condition, and more. The following are the possible causes of anxiety depending on a person's mental illness:

• Stress Disorders
• Panic Disorder
• Phobic Disorders

The following external factors may cause students to experience anxiety:

• Stress in School 
• Overwhelming Tasks
• Peer Pressure
• Deadlines

#3 Posture Problems

Slinging backpacks on one shoulder, lifting heavy objects, or even slouching over the table to do homework are everyday habits some students do that may affect their posture. Most people may be aware of the benefits of having a proper posture. Still, many students continue with lousy posture habits that can lead to discomfort and other health-related concerns such as neck pain, back pain, headaches and more.

Chiropractic Care

Most students experience common health concerns like headaches, depression, anxiety, and posture problems. It is crucial to know how students can alleviate these issues. One possible solution can be through chiropractic care. 

According to the Canadian Chiropractic Association, chiropractic care can help relieve stress, align the spine, and relax the muscles to improve the quality of life. It can be beneficial for students, especially those who are in college.

Chiropractic care can also help in correcting posture. Some students may be aware of their stance as they work on their computers or work on their desks, but the reality of it is that most people can't maintain the perfect posture for hours. Chiropractic care can help in correcting possible damages that are caused by poor posture.

Chiropractic Care Tips

Chiropractic care does not only mean having hands-on spinal and body treatments given by a chiropractor. It also means giving your body resources to be in a better and healthy state. There are many tools and home care remedies you can use. After all, chiropractic care is all about focusing on the betterment of the musculoskeletal system and helping the body feel better and alleviate some health concerns that can be removed by chiropractic care.

The following are chiropractic tips that can help back to school students:

#1 Stretching

School can be hectic for students, and they may not have enough time to do physical activities such as exercising. The Canadian Chiropractic Association recommends practices as simple as stretching to help reduce bodily pains and stress.

The following are simple stretches students can do to help improve their lifestyle:

• Chest Stretch
• A simple stretching method, sit on the edge of a chair with your legs a bit wider than your shoulder width. Face your palms upward and lift your chest. Hold this position for 20-30 seconds. You may do this three to four times a day.

• Trapezius Stretch
• While sitting, slowly draw the right ear towards the right shoulder. You can place your right hand over your head and then let it rest on the left cheekbone to apply a bit more pressure. Hold this position for 20-30 seconds. Repeat this stretch on the other side. You can also do this three to four times a day.

#2 Applying Ergonomics

Aside from the everyday problems of hunching on the seat and sitting for long hours, students also have to adapt to a one-size-fits-all desk and chair that can lead to poor posture, poor ergonomics, and discomfort.

Wellness for Life Chiropractic suggests that a solution is to apply ergonomics within the classroom or at home for students. Ergonomics fits the people who will use them. For students, investing in an ergonomic chair or sit-to-stand desk converters can help correct poor posture and alleviate discomfort and bodily pains such as headaches, neck pains, backaches, and more.

In addition, having ergonomic furniture can help boost productivity and reduce stress.

#3 Pay Attention to Your Posture

Back pains and spinal problems are often caused by poor posture. Sitting up straight while studying at your desk, or generally when sitting, can help alleviate your neck and back issues.

If you do this and feel slight discomfort, this may be because your body is accustomed to slouching. You can also stand up and stretch at least once an hour if you spend long hours studying on your desk.

In terms of standing, there can be a lot of strain on your spine and lower back if you stand for quite a long time. To relieve these types of discomfort, try standing in certain positions.

WellChiropractic.com suggests that you should try standing with one foot slightly ahead of your other foot while keeping your knees barely bent. Another tip is that you can shift your body weight to the heels of your foot rather than your toes.

#4Pay Attention to your Backpacks

Backpacks, either heavy or misfitted, can cause discomfort or sometimes pain on your shoulders and back. This is no coincidence. Your bag to school can significantly affect your spine.

It is recommended to limit the objects in your bag rather than stuffing them all in. This is so you can have an appropriate weight on your backpack that won't give that much tension to your shoulders and back.

Another method is to know how you are correctly carrying your backpack. True Roots Chiropractic suggests that your bag should fit close to the body with its straps tight but comfortable. Try to avoid having your backpack hanging low on your back. This may cause massive stress to the spine.

#5 Know the Proper Sleeping Position

Have you ever experienced going to sleep after a busy day at school only to wake up with discomfort and a few body pains? Aside from the possible activity you may have been doing the previous day, the way you sleep can also affect your body, especially your back, neck, and shoulders.

According to Healthline.com, sleeping flat on your back has the most health benefits. It helps protect your spine and relieve knee and hip pain. This is because sleeping on your back uses gravity to help your body keep a balanced alignment over your spine. In addition, the position can help alleviate unnecessary pressure on the joints or back. It is also advised to place a pillow behind your knees to help support your back.

Conclusion

Students go back to school to learn more about the world. Knowing what struggles they encounter with their health is crucial so that these problems can be avoided soon. Students wouldn't want to get stressed about their health when they already have school work and projects to worry about.

Chiropractic care is one of many ways students can help themselves have a better lifestyle. With tips to improve their health by simply stretching or investing in ergonomic furniture that can create comfort and relaxation, their journey with education can be a better and healthier experience.