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Early detection and gentle chiropractic care to support your child's spinal health during their most important years of growth.
Today's children face a posture challenge that no previous generation has encountered. Between hours spent on smartphones and tablets, heavy backpacks loaded with textbooks, and long stretches of sitting in classrooms, the developing spine is under constant stress. Studies indicate that children now spend an average of seven or more hours per day in front of screens, and this sedentary, forward-leaning lifestyle is taking a measurable toll on spinal health. Forward head posture, rounded shoulders, and exaggerated thoracic curvature are becoming increasingly common even in children as young as seven or eight years old, and these patterns only worsen if left unaddressed through the critical growth years of adolescence.
Scoliosis, an abnormal lateral curvature of the spine, affects approximately three percent of adolescents and is most commonly identified during the growth spurts of puberty. While many cases are mild and require only monitoring, early detection is essential because curves can progress rapidly during periods of fast growth. A curve that measures ten degrees at age eleven can reach thirty degrees or more by age fifteen if it goes undetected and unmanaged. At Advanced Wellness Chiropractic in Bridgeton, MO, Dr. JC provides comprehensive pediatric chiropractic posture assessments and scoliosis screenings to catch these issues early, when they are most responsive to conservative care.
Whether your child has been referred for a scoliosis evaluation, you have noticed uneven shoulders or a persistent slouch, or you simply want a baseline assessment of your growing child's spinal health, Dr. JC is here to help. We combine thorough clinical examination with age-appropriate chiropractic care, corrective exercises, and practical ergonomic guidance to help your child develop strong, healthy posture that will serve them well into adulthood.
Most postural issues and idiopathic scoliosis are well-managed with conservative care, but certain findings require urgent medical evaluation rather than chiropractic screening:
Many postural issues and early scoliosis develop gradually, making them easy to overlook. Parents should watch for the following signs, especially during growth spurts, and seek a professional evaluation if any are present.
These are quick screens that parents can use between appointments to watch for posture and scoliosis changes during their child's growth spurts. None of them replace a proper exam, but if one or more is clearly positive, it is worth scheduling a full evaluation.
How to do it
Have your child stand with feet together and bend forward at the waist with arms hanging loose, palms together, knees straight. View from behind at the level of the spine.
What to watch for
A rib hump on one side of the upper back or a muscle prominence on one side of the lower back. The two sides should be symmetrical.
What a positive test suggests
A rotational component to the spine, which is the hallmark of scoliosis. This is the same screening test used in school and pediatric offices.
How to do it
Have your child stand against a flat wall with heels a couple of inches out, and relax. Check how the body meets the wall without cheating the position.
What to watch for
Heels, buttocks, upper back, and back of the head should all touch the wall comfortably. Gaps at the upper back or head indicate forward posture.
What a positive test suggests
Forward head posture and rounded upper back that are worth addressing early, before they become a fixed postural pattern in adulthood.
How to do it
Have your child stand in front of a mirror or straight-on for a phone photo, with feet hip-width apart and arms relaxed at the sides.
What to watch for
Is one shoulder clearly higher than the other? Is one hip higher? Does the head tilt to one side? Is the waist crease more pronounced on one side?
What a positive test suggests
A structural asymmetry, which could be scoliosis, a leg length difference, or a postural habit. Any of the three deserves a proper screening exam.
Keep the same photos over time. One of the most valuable things parents can do is repeat these checks every few months during growth spurts and compare side-by-side. Small changes are easy to miss in the moment but obvious in photos taken three months apart.
Chiropractic care offers a proactive, non-invasive approach to managing postural dysfunction and scoliosis in children and adolescents. A comprehensive postural assessment begins with a detailed visual and physical examination of spinal alignment, shoulder and hip symmetry, head position, and overall body balance. For scoliosis screening, we perform the Adams Forward Bend Test and may use additional measurements to quantify any curvature. This thorough evaluation provides a clear baseline and allows us to track changes over time as your child grows.
Gentle chiropractic adjustments help restore proper spinal alignment and improve the mobility of vertebral joints that have become restricted due to poor posture or asymmetric growth patterns. When the spine moves more freely and symmetrically, the surrounding muscles are better able to support it in a balanced position. For children with scoliosis, regular adjustments can help manage discomfort, maintain flexibility, and support the body's ability to adapt to the curve without progressing further. Our approach is always gentle and specifically tailored to the age and size of the child, ensuring comfort and safety throughout the process.
Beyond in-office treatment, we place strong emphasis on corrective exercises that your child can perform at home to reinforce the improvements made during visits. These exercises target specific muscle imbalances, strengthen the core and postural muscles, and promote healthier movement habits. We also provide practical guidance on backpack fit and weight, desk and chair ergonomics for homework and school, and healthy screen-time habits. For children involved in sports, we can assess whether their athletic activities are contributing to postural asymmetry and recommend modifications. If your child has been diagnosed with or is at risk for youth sports injuries related to postural dysfunction, Dr. JC coordinates care to address both concerns together.
Every child's posture and spinal development are unique. Our treatment plans are built around a detailed assessment and tailored to your child's specific needs and growth stage. Our approach includes:
A full evaluation of spinal alignment, shoulder and hip symmetry, head position, and overall body mechanics to establish a clear picture of your child's postural health.
Clinical screening using the Adams Forward Bend Test and precise measurements to detect spinal curvature early, when conservative management is most effective.
Gentle, age-appropriate chiropractic adjustments to restore proper alignment, improve joint mobility, and support balanced spinal development as your child grows.
A customized set of stretches and strengthening exercises designed to reinforce postural improvements, build core stability, and develop lasting healthy movement habits.
These are the drills Dr. JC sends home with most posture and scoliosis patients. They build the mobility, endurance, and awareness that support healthy posture through the school day. The full routine takes about ten minutes and works best once a day. Scoliosis-specific exercises like side planks on the concave side of a curve should only be performed after Dr. JC has identified the curve direction in the office.
The single best counter-move for rounded, forward-head posture from backpacks, desks, and phones. Opens the stiff mid-back that drives most postural complaints in students.
Dosage: 8 to 10 slow extensions at 3 levels of the mid-back, once daily.
Teaches the shoulders to move into overhead positions without hiking up into the neck. A simple, powerful drill for rounded-shoulder posture.
Dosage: 10 slow reps, 2 sets, once daily.
Builds the deep core and spinal endurance that holds the trunk upright. A classic drill for postural control in children, teens, and adults alike.
Dosage: 8 slow reps per side, 2 sets, once daily.
The antidote to forward head posture from phone, tablet, and textbook use. Builds endurance in the deep neck flexors that hold the head over the shoulders.
Dosage: 10 reps, 2 sets, twice daily. An easy one to do at a desk between classes.
Home exercises are powerful, but they are one piece of a larger plan. For children with a confirmed scoliotic curve, side planks and other asymmetric drills should only be used on the specific side Dr. JC identifies. Generic internet exercises can make a curve worse if they load the wrong side. If you are working on posture at home without clear improvement in 4 to 6 weeks, come in for a proper evaluation.
Certain life stages and daily routines drive the majority of postural complaints we evaluate at Advanced Wellness Chiropractic. If you recognize your child or yourself in one of these groups, early screening and conservative care is often all that is needed.
Ages 10 to 15 are the highest-priority screening window. This is when idiopathic scoliosis most commonly appears and progresses during growth spurts.
Young athletes with asymmetric training demands (throwing, serving, kicking on one side) often show postural changes that deserve baseline screening.
Scoliosis has a meaningful genetic component. Siblings and children of diagnosed family members benefit from earlier and more frequent screening.
Years of laptop, monitor, and phone use drive forward head posture and rounded shoulders. Pain and tightness usually follow, even without scoliosis.
Pregnancy and postpartum create a new postural baseline with an anterior-tilted pelvis, weakened core, and hours of one-sided carrying. A good time for reset work.
Degenerative scoliosis develops later in life as discs and joints wear unevenly. Management focuses on pain control and mobility, not correction.
Elementary and middle schoolers hauling packs well above the 10 to 15 percent body weight guideline. A quiet driver of upper back and shoulder pain.
The forward head posture crowd. Chin-tuck and thoracic mobility work combined with screen-time coaching can turn this around quickly in the growing spine.
Teens and young adults who wore a scoliosis brace in the past, especially in growth years. Maintenance care to preserve mobility and monitor the curve.
When scoliosis exceeds a conservative management threshold, Dr. JC coordinates with pediatric orthopedic specialists and documents progress with serial measurements. We see patients from Bridgeton, Maryland Heights, Hazelwood, Florissant, St. Ann, Creve Coeur, and across North County St. Louis.
The ideal time for scoliosis screening is during the rapid growth periods of pre-adolescence and adolescence, typically between ages 10 and 15. However, postural evaluations can and should begin even earlier. We recommend a baseline posture screening around age six or seven, with follow-up assessments as your child grows. Early detection is critical because mild curvatures are much easier to manage and monitor before they progress during growth spurts.
Chiropractic care cannot reverse a structural scoliosis curve that has already formed, but it can play an important role in managing the condition and slowing progression. Through regular adjustments, targeted exercises, and postural correction, we can help reduce pain, improve mobility, and support better overall spinal function. For mild curves, consistent chiropractic care combined with exercise can be very effective at maintaining quality of life and preventing the curve from worsening during growth.
A child's backpack should weigh no more than 10 to 15 percent of their body weight. For example, a child weighing 80 pounds should carry no more than 8 to 12 pounds in their backpack. The pack should be worn with both straps over the shoulders, adjusted so it sits snugly against the back, and the heaviest items should be placed closest to the body. A waist strap can further reduce strain. We frequently see children carrying packs that are far too heavy, and this is a significant contributor to postural problems.
Extended screen time does not cause immediate permanent damage, but it can lead to chronic postural habits that become progressively harder to correct over time. Prolonged forward head posture, rounded shoulders, and a hunched upper back from looking down at devices can create muscle imbalances and structural changes in the developing spine. The earlier these habits are identified and addressed through postural correction and ergonomic changes, the better the long-term outcome for your child's spinal health.
We recommend posture screenings every six months for children and adolescents who are actively growing, especially during the rapid growth phases between ages 10 and 16. Children involved in sports, those who carry heavy backpacks, or those with significant daily screen time may benefit from more frequent evaluations. Regular monitoring allows us to catch subtle changes early and make adjustments to the care plan before small issues become bigger problems.
“Best chiropractor in the greater St. Louis area”
Dr. Bordeaux is hands down the best chiropractor in the greater St. Louis area. He takes the time to understand and treat your specific issue. You'll leave feeling like a million bucks.
“A million times better after one visit”
JC is totally amazing and will make you feel so comfortable and relaxed. I left feeling a million times better after one visit!
Specialized gentle chiropractic care designed for infants, children, and teens at every stage of development.
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