The Toe Bone is Connected to the Brain!

30 years ago, Dr Jean Ayres linked neural function and a child's success in school, or lack thereof, known as Neurological Integration. Neurological problems in infants are seen in sensitivity to bright lights, loud sounds, and quick movements.

There is a marked change in activity levels, they tire easily, seem to be in continuous motion, or tend to sleep a lot. Coordination problems, speech and language delays, attention issues, self-regulation, all indicate problems with neurological integration. This condition is masked in many different ways and it's vital that parents know the signs.

When an infant is playing or interacting, their brain gathers data and attempts to organize it. If data becomes scrambled or disorganized, it's evident in the infant's behavior.

"The number of young children in school showing sensory processing disorders increases every year, currently estimated 12% to 17% of all children in the United States," according to the Sensory Integration Education and Research Foundation.

Postural control

Standing or moving sends signals from our body to the brain and back again. The body automatically and reflexively assumes a particular posture, based on a mix of responses, and what your brain, is telling your body to do.

Pressoreceptors, the millions of pressure sensors over the entire bottom surface of the foot. These receptors send information to the brain which then process, coordinate eight anti-gravity muscles; to keep the eyes level with the horizon.

Any failure in this process disturbs not only balance, but many other senses as well.

Foot position

"Research shows foot positioning directly hampers neuro-development of children," says Dr. Cody Hanish, DC of Sydney. "It is easy to see the value of foot position, posture, and the effects it has on health and wellbeing in the long term."

A survey of 52 five-year-old children showed that 92.3% had knocked knees, 77.9% had hyperpronation, (underdevelopment of the anklebone or heel bone restricting range of motion.) "Pronation is the most common foot problem we see at our Chiropractic clinic in Sydney," says Dr. Hanish, D.C.

"Considering the importance of the feet in neurological information to the brain, this is extremely concerning," says Dr. Hanish, D.C. "By age five, some children have developed rigid, stooped, or sloppy postural habits when standing or sitting, or in coordinated movements."

Being proactive in your child's neurological development

Parents, caregivers, and teacher's have active roles in seeing children who may have neurological problems. Trained Chiropractors can identify the underlying process and prescribe proper activities for the infant or child.

These activities, boost tolerance toward specific stimulations, desensitize overreactions, increase proprioceptive input from the feet, help coordinate movement, and develop neurological integration.

"What the chiropractic clinic, and what you do at home, directly affects neurological development in your child. What greater gift can you possibly give a child?" says Dr. Hanish, D.C.

Cody Hanish, a Sydney Chiropractor and Doctor of Chiropractic, has provided this summary out of a series of articles on chiropractic care posted by Wynyard Chiropractic.

You can find more articles on pediatric and chiropractic care at the Sydney Wynyard Chiropractic Website.

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.