Spine health is important from childhood because the spine plays a central role in growth, movement, and overall body function. Taking care of it early helps ensure proper posture, balance, and long-term musculoskeletal health. 

Dr Vishakha Basavraj Karpe is a highly skilled senior paediatric neurosurgeon in Hyderabad and has expertise in treating hydrocephalus, spinal dysraphism, craniosynostosis, paediatric brain infections, brain and spine tumours and stroke surgery in India.

Why does spine health matter in children?

Here are the key reasons why spine health matters since childhood:

1. Crucial for Growth and Development:

The spine grows and develops rapidly during childhood. Proper spine alignment ensures that bones, muscles, and nerves develop correctly, supporting normal height and posture.

2. Nervous System Protection:

The spinal cord runs through the spine and carries messages between the brain and the body. Any spinal problems can affect nerve function, impacting movement, sensation, and organ function.

3. No Postural Problems:

Poor posture from heavy school bags, prolonged screen time, or improper sitting habits can lead to early spinal curvature (like scoliosis or kyphosis) and chronic back pain later in life.

4. Improves Physical Performance:

A healthy spine provides stability, flexibility, and strength—key for children’s physical activities, sports, and play.

5. Future proof from Chronic Pain:

Early attention to spine health helps prevent back and neck pain in adolescence and adulthood, conditions that are becoming more common due to sedentary lifestyles.

6. Good for Overall Health:

Since the spine connects to muscles, joints, and nerves throughout the body, good spinal alignment promotes better breathing, digestion, and circulation.

Important steps to maintain spine health since childhood -Dr.Vishakha explains 

Here are some effective ways to maintain spine health in children:

1. Promote Good Posture:

• Teach children to sit and stand upright with shoulders back and chin up.
• Avoid slouching while studying, using gadgets, or watching TV.

2. Take care of School Bags:

• Choose a lightweight backpack with two padded shoulder straps.
• Ensure the bag weight does not exceed 10–15% of the child’s body weight.
• Encourage wearing the bag on both shoulders to distribute weight evenly.

3. Encourage Regular Physical Activity:

• Activities like swimming, cycling, yoga, and stretching help strengthen back and core muscles that support the spine.
• Limit screen time and encourage outdoor play to improve posture and flexibility.

4. Ergonomic Study Setup:

• Provide a desk and chair suited to the child’s height.
• The computer screen or book should be at eye level to avoid bending the neck for long periods.

5. Diet care:

• Include foods rich in calcium, vitamin D, and protein to strengthen bones and muscles.
• Encourage good hydration and a healthy weight to avoid extra stress on the spine.

6. Sleep care:

• A medium-firm mattress supports natural spinal alignment.
• Teach children to sleep on their back or side rather than the stomach.

7. Physical Checkups:

• Periodic pediatric or orthopedic checkups help detect early signs of spinal problems like scoliosis or posture issues.

8. Discourage Heavy Lifting:

• Teach children to lift objects by bending their knees, not their back, to prevent strain.
• Building healthy spine habits early helps children grow strong, stay active, and prevent back problems later in life.

Risks associated with ignoring spine health in childhood 

If spine health is ignored during childhood, it can lead to several short-term and long-term problems that affect growth, posture, movement, and even internal organ function. Here are the main problems children may face:

1. Posture issues:

• Ignoring spinal care can cause slouching, rounded shoulders, or a forward head posture.
• Over time, this may lead to fatigue, neck strain, and muscle imbalance.

2. Deformities of the spine:

• Conditions such as scoliosis (sideways curvature), kyphosis (hunched back), or lordosis (excessive inward curve) may develop or worsen without early detection.
• These deformities can cause pain, uneven shoulders or hips, and limited mobility.

3. Chronic Pain:

• Poor posture, heavy school bags, and lack of physical activity can strain the spine and muscles, leading to chronic pain even at a young age.

4. Nerve Compression Problems:

• The spinal cord and nerves can be affected by poor alignment, leading to numbness, tingling, or weakness in the arms or legs.
• This can also affect coordination and balance.

5. Hindrance to Growth and Development:

• Since the spine supports overall body structure, spinal problems can impact height, gait (walking pattern), and physical development.

6. Effect on Physical Performance:

• Weak spinal muscles and poor flexibility can limit a child’s participation in sports and daily activities.

7. Breathing Issues:

• Severe spinal deformities, especially scoliosis, can reduce lung capacity and affect heart and digestive functions.

8. Impact on Self-Esteem and Confidence:

• Visible posture or spine deformities may cause children to feel self-conscious, impacting their confidence and social interactions.
• Neglecting spine health in childhood can lead to lifelong physical, functional, and psychological challenges.
• Early attention, good posture habits, and regular checkups help prevent these complications.

About Dr Vishakha:

Dr Vishakha Basavraj Karpe is a highly skilled senior consultant at Rainbow Children’s Hospital in Banjara Hills and Hydernagar Hyderabad. She is known for her comprehensive care approach and is one of the few dedicated leading paediatric neurosurgeons in the city and India with over ten years of extensive experience in pediatric neurosurgery. Her expertise includes treating hydrocephalus, spinal dysraphism, craniosynostosis, paediatric brain infections, brain and spine tumours and stroke surgery. She has a special interest in craniosynostosis surgery, which is done only in very few centres in India.

Proficiency of Dr Vishakha:

• Hydrocephalus (increased fluid in the brain): The procedure involves an endoscopic third ventriculostomy and CSF diversion (VP shunt) to treat complex hydrocephalus.
• Craniosynostosis (abnormal head shape due to untimely cranial sutures fusion) surgeries: Helmet therapy is a technique that is used in both endoscopic and open surgery.
• Spinal dysraphisms(Spina Bifida)- (spinal abnormalities present by birth) – surgical repair
• Encephalocele repair surgery.
• Vascular conditions and stroke surgeries: revascularization surgeries for moya moya disease.
• Pediatric brain and spine tumour surgeries.
• Pediatric brain and spine infection surgeries: Endoscopic and open surgeries for brain and spine infections.
• Pediatric traumatic brain and spinal injury.
• Antenatal counselling for congenital fatal neurosurgical conditions.

For appointment with the best pediatric neurosurgeon in Hyderabad, Dr Vishakha, please contact +91 8618978597, +91 9676416408 or visit our website https://drvishakhaneurosurgeon.com