Safety

Road safety and our children

August 4, 2014
What about the airbag12?

When released, the airbag literally explodes. If its presence reduces injuries in children from 9 to 12 years old, it is not true for younger children. The impact can cause severe damage to their heads and cervical spine.

What is the impact of a car accident on my child?

The impact caused by a car accident can be the source of musculoskeletal injuries. Although children involved in a car accident do not necessarily complain about pain, a change in their sleep patterns or diet can be a sign that something is wrong.

Even a collision at low speed can have a significant impact on your child. Stay alert to changes in his habits. However, since children have a greater ligamentous laxity at the cervical spine, the incidence of ligament injury is not as high as for an adult for the same collision13.

A neurological examination is important following a collision if you want to eliminate the possibility of nerve damage. Despite the fact that children have a greater ligament laxity, the spinal cord does not support a big stretch.

The symptoms of pain or stiffness in any area of ​​the body should be investigated following a car accident. The areas most commonly affected are the head, neck, back, chest and abdomen.

What symptoms could affect my child following a car crash14? 
  • Headaches
  • Back or neck pain
  • Dizziness
  • Difficulty sleeping
  • Irritability and fatigue
  • Difficulty moving a body region 

The moment when the first symptoms appear is important. When pain occurs a few hours after the accident, prompt medical investigation is important. If symptoms appear within a few days, they may be associated with muscle spasms and an inflammatory response. When recurring symptoms such as headaches develop weeks or months after the accident, the cause may be residing in the development of adhesions in the muscles of the neck following the accident.

A chiropractor can perform a thorough assessment of your child's condition following a car accident. Chiropractic care can help reduce the symptoms experienced by your child. In case of nausea, vomiting or head shocks, immediately go to the nearest hospital.

Regular monitoring at the chiropractor helps identify possible sources of spinal dysfunction and prevent the emergence of future problems. In addition to chiropractic adjustments, treatment may include recommendations for a healthy lifestyle, like ways to improve the posture of your child, tips on wearing a backpack and exercises. Proper spinal hygiene is the key to better health.

For more information, do not hesitate to contact me.

References

  1. SAAQ
  2. SAAQ
  3. SAAQ
  4. SAAQ
  5. SAAQ
  6. Caring for kids (CPS)
  7. Association des chiropraticiens du Québec
  8. Association des chiropraticiens du Québec
  9. Caring for kids (CPS)
  10. SAAQ
  11. SAAQ
  12. Association des chiropraticiens du Québec
  13. Fysh, Peter, Chiropractic care for the pediatric patient, 2nd Edition, ICA Council on chiropractic pediatric, 2010
  14. Fysh, Peter, Chiropractic care for the pediatric patient, 2nd Edition, ICA Council on chiropractic pediatric, 2010
Joëlle Malenfant
Chiroprator

Dr. Joëlle Malenfant is a chiropractionner in Quebec City. She has a postgraduate doctorate in chiropractic care for pregnant women and children. She accompanies women in labour and is a volunteer at Entraide Naturo-Lait, an organization supporting breastfeeding. Joëlle is also the proud mother of a 4- year-old boy, Christophe. Clinique chiropratique Maguire 1452, rue Maguire, bureau 100 Québec, Québec G1T 1Z4 Tél : 418.684.0004418.684.0004 Call Send SMS Add to Skype You'll need Skype CreditFree via Skype

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