Sept2012_Optimizing Your Childs Potential
Since the early 90’s our understanding of brain function has grown enormously. We now know that in addition to creating connections within the brain, we can and do add new brain cells all our lives.
This process of growth within the brain is termed neuroplasticity. It is driven by input, mainly from our senses. Of all sensory input, the one thing we sense 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, is gravity and its effects on muscle and joint receptors. This input is called proprioception, and the largest source of proprioceptive input is the spine and the joints within the spine.
As a child’s brain develops, this proprioceptive input is matched with input from the eyes and the balance mechanisms in the ears creating a spatial map of the body. This body schema forms the template on which a child builds basic motor skills: rolling over, sitting up, crawling and walking. Not only does posture, balance and coordination depend on an accurate body schema but so too do cognitive and higher level functions.
When children are experiencing difficulties with learning it becomes important to find out why and how the brain is not functioning well, and then to work to re-establish efficient connections and to stimulate neuroplasticity.
As a Chiropractor I am often asked what Chiropractic has to do with brain development. Everything!! Given that movement signals from the spine are important for normal brain function and development, anything which interferes with the transmission of this and other sensory information via the spinal cord to the brain will act as a brake on development.
Chiropractic improves brain function. Gentle, specific adjustments to the spine correct restrictions between vertebrae and thereby restore the flow of sensory traffic to and from the brain.
Chiropractic works with a respect for your child’s innate potential – we don’t ask how we are going to fix your kids. Instead we ask what has gotten in the way of your child’s natural ability to express their birthright of good health and to whole-heartedly engage in learning.
Every child has more potential than even you, their parents, know. As a Chiropractor, with post-grad Paediatrics training and a passion for working with kids, my job is to look for those things that interfere with a child being their best – to work together with you to unlock your child’s amazing potential.
Mary Kennedy
Samford Chiropractic Centre
Phone 3289 6618
As a child’s brain develops, this proprioceptive input is matched with input from the eyes and the balance mechanisms in the ears creating a spatial map of the body. This body schema forms the template on which a child builds basic motor skills: rolling over, sitting up, crawling and walking. Not only does posture, balance and coordination depend on an accurate body schema but so too do cognitive and higher level functions.
When children are experiencing difficulties with learning it becomes important to find out why and how the brain is not functioning well, and then to work to re-establish efficient connections and to stimulate neuroplasticity.
As a Chiropractor I am often asked what Chiropractic has to do with brain development. Everything!! Given that movement signals from the spine are important for normal brain function and development, anything which interferes with the transmission of this and other sensory information via the spinal cord to the brain will act as a brake on development.
Chiropractic improves brain function. Gentle, specific adjustments to the spine correct restrictions between vertebrae and thereby restore the flow of sensory traffic to and from the brain.
Chiropractic works with a respect for your child’s innate potential – we don’t ask how we are going to fix your kids. Instead we ask what has gotten in the way of your child’s natural ability to express their birthright of good health and to whole-heartedly engage in learning.
Every child has more potential than even you, their parents, know. As a Chiropractor, with post-grad Paediatrics training and a passion for working with kids, my job is to look for those things that interfere with a child being their best – to work together with you to unlock your child’s amazing potential.
Mary Kennedy
Samford Chiropractic Centre
Phone 3289 6618
