Gaming Addiction: Watch Out for Kyphosis in Students!

Kyphosis, a spinal problem that causes a forward rounding of the back, is a prevalent issue among children. While some irreversible cases are due to structural factors or diseases, most cases are caused by poor posture, known as postural kyphosis. With the widespread use of electronic devices, children are increasingly spending prolonged hours sitting in front of screens or playing electronic games, leading to a surge in kyphosis cases.

No matter how old you are, your spine should be in a straight line when you stand. The spine is made up of the cervical spine, thoracic spine, lumbar spine, sacrum, and coccyx, with ligaments and muscles supporting and protecting it to maintain an upright posture. If kids often lower their heads and hunch over to do homework or play video games, their thoracic spine will arch too much, which can stress the spinal ligaments and cause a muscle imbalance between the chest and upper back muscles. This can tense up the thoracic spine over time and lead to kyphosis.

Kyphosis not only affects kids' appearance and confidence, but also accelerates spinal degeneration if not treated promptly, leading to spinal subluxation and even affecting heart and lung function. Therefore, parents should keep tabs on their children's sitting and standing posture and address their back problems as soon as possible.

Since most kyphosis cases are caused by poor posture, the best way to fix it is to improve and maintain good posture, especially when doing homework or using a computer. Parents can remind their children to sit and stand up straight, walk with their head and chest up and their core engaged, and build a habit of organizing their schoolbags to reduce the stress on their spine. Moderate exercises like stretching and breathing exercises can also help keep spinal problems at bay.

<Online Appointment>