Crawling plays a vital part in development and leads to many positive neurological and structural benefits as babies transition into children and young adults. The age-old adage that a person must learn to crawl before they learn to walk actually serves a valuable research based purpose. Studies prove that one of the most important factors in developing proper health in a child begins with cultivating a healthy spine. The spine houses the spinal cord and protects nerve roots. The bones also store vital neurons that help provide valuable nutrition to the brain through movement. Many specialists refer to the spine as the motor for the brain.
A normal, healthy spine contains three proper curves from a side-view and should be straight like an arrow when assessed from front to back. Babies come into the world without all three curves. Appropriate spinal curvature develops in the first four years of life. Crawling serves as one of the key components to developing normal curvature in the back and neck. Part of a healthy parenting foundation includes a prolonged celebration period when babies begin crawling. Encouraging developing toddlers to experience an ample dose of crawling before transitioning to walking only serves to strengthen a priceless component of their developmental health. Crawling also helps develop strong brain connections through the stimulating cross-crawl patterns a baby acquires when learning to move arms and legs in tandem motion across the floor.
Research published in 2007 provided vital evidence that abnormal curvature in the neck negatively stretches the spinal cord, diminished blood supply in and around the head and neck. These conditions contribute to cervical disc disease. The most significant health challenges brought about by abnormal spinal curvature and alignment manifests in poor organ health. Documented research determined that poor spinal health affects virtually every aspect of human performance ranging from immunity to brain function because of the direct relationship between the spine and nervous system.
Crawling functions as an easy and important strategy to helping children develop a normal spine and nervous system. Maintaining a consistent foundation of health and development becomes just as imperative as a child becomes a teenager and as teenagers become adults. Spinal health strategies remain key components of both development and lifelong vitality. Proactively maintaining good posture and spinal movement minimize the dangers of poor function and disc deterioration.
One of the most important assets to lifelong spinal health and hygiene comes from regular spinal evaluations and adjustments by a scientifically trained Chiropractor. Infants, toddlers, children and adults experience vertebral subluxations (misalignments) in the vertebrae that create interference in the brain to body communication network. These subluxations often occur from normal activities and minor trauma that come from work and play, especially in children. Chiropractors evaluate the spine and nervous system and eliminate misalignments that could otherwise manifest in pain or disease. Millions of babies, children, and adults experience optimal curvature and spinal alignment through regular Chiropractic adjustments. Crawling remains an important step in the walking process and Chiropractic continues to be an important foundational step to optimizing lifelong health for the whole family.
To find out more, visit the local chiropractic office of Dr. Allan Puritz serving Westminster, Finksburg, Hampstead and Manchester MD. Call today to schedule your visit at 410-848-8022.