If your college student is home for the weekend, you might want to have a discussion with him or her about the benefits of chiropractic treatment during the school year. After all, chiropractic treatment is not just for older adults with back problems. It’s beneficial for all people and college students are among those best poised for benefit.

Long hours of studying spent hunched over a textbook or laptop can strain muscles and cause misalignment in many parts of the body. Carrying a heavy backpack, particularly if it’s just slung over one shoulder and not worn properly, can play havoc with alignment of the vertebrae in the spine. Athletic activity, whether it’s at the varsity, intramural or totally recreational level, can also be taxing on the body. Throw into the mix a college student’s sleeping habits, e.g. sleeping curled up in a chair at the conclusion of an all-night study session, and you’ve got a recipe for back woes. Sleeping on one’s back, rather than on the stomach or side, is the best way to take pressure off the back. If side-lying is preferred, advise them to put a fluffy pillow between their knees to keep their pelvis straight.

Your college student, like most, probably feels invincible and we hope they are indeed active and robust. These are important years for them. Regular visits to a chiropractor during college will keep them sharp, feeling good and better able to concentrate on their studies.

Presented as a service to the community by: Union County Chiropractic Clinic, 110 Skyline Drive, Maynardville, TN (865) 992-7000 www.unioncountychiropractic.com