Dorn Therapy for Children

Dorn therapy prevents and treats misalignments before they lead to irreparable structural damage. Whilst the majority of people who receive this form of complementary medicine range from young adults to senior citizens, children can also benefit loads from it. Find out in this article how the corrections and self-care exercises employed in the Dorn Method can improve a child's health and wellbeing.

What Is Dorn Therapy?

Dorn therapy is a gentle, noninvasive, holistic approach to back and hip pain. It realigns the vertebrae and corrects leg length difference by applying pressure on the joint at issue, while the person moves their arms and legs. The joint gradually slips back into its normal position, allowing for greater movement and enabling the body to reposition itself to where it is naturally meant to be.

During a treatment session, the location of every vertebra is mapped and the length of the legs is recorded. The next step involves a hip assessment to ensure they are in their correct position (and no displacement has taken place). It is imperative to ensure the hips are properly aligned because if they are not, uneven leg length may result which ultimately leads to other spinal issues. After the correction, the individual is taught simple self-help exercises that can be done at home to reinforce the benefits from the session. 

Why Apply Dorn Therapy to Children

Like the rest of us, children may experience stiffness in their backs, headaches and visual stress. And whilst back problems are most prevalent in the 20 – 50 age group, back problems experienced by children and teenagers were found to have been caused by something else rather than an underlying medical condition. According to several orthopaedic studies, the most common causes of back pain in children are as follows:

• The birth process
• Trauma/falls
• Congenital abnormalities
• Heavy school bags
• Long hours at the desk at both home and school
• Incorrect or poor posture
• Strain caused by playing games and sport outdoors

Children, teenagers and even babies may all benefit from the practice of Dorn therapy. The noninvasive technique may be used to cure misalignments at an early age, or as a preventative measure against future back problems without any negative side effects.

How Children May Benefit From Dorn Therapy

Taking your child to a Dorn therapist will not only protect them from back and hip problems, but it will also help them maintain proper posture. There is no age restriction or requirement for Dorn therapy. Even babies can benefit from this modality. Speaking of which, did you know that babies can develop spinal misalignments from the birthing process? If you suspect that your little bundle of joy may have this problem, it would be best to see a qualified therapist immediately.

The list below explains how children and babies can benefit from Dorn therapy:

• Length differences can be balanced before they create future hip and back problems.
• There are no negative side effects from the treatment.
• The spinal cord of a child is more flexible and heals faster than that of adults, so the former will require fewer sessions.
• The negative side effects of heavy school bags and long hours at a desk, or in front of a computer, can be avoided, or treated, through regular checkups.
• The easy self-care exercises ensure your child is more likely to practice them and look after themselves.
• The Dorn Therapy technique is basic and can easily be learned. Before they know it, parents will be confidently practising it on their children in the comfort of their own home.
• Colic and digestive issues in babies due to spinal misalignment resulting from birth trauma can be addressed immediately.

Dorn Method Exercises for Back Pain in Children

Encouraging children to perform the exercises prescribed by a Dorn therapist will keep them free of back pain and their spine in tip-top shape. Even if the child doesn't show any symptoms of pain, guiding them through the exercises below will help them to maintain good posture and excellent health. Once you're ready with your exercise mat, you may get started with the following Dorn Method exercises:

1. Lie flat on your back with knees bent. Lift one knee and place a rolled up hand towel around the upper region of the thigh while pulling both ends. Breathe in as you bring your knee towards you, and then breathe out as you straighten out your leg. Repeat four more times then switch to the other leg. Maintaining the pressure on the towel will realign the hip joint.
2. Get a book, or a yoga block, and then place it on the exercise mat. Next, lie down, placing the book directly below your iliac bones, which are located above the hip bones. Raise your legs then gently cycle in the air for 30 seconds. This exercise will help correct the sacrum.
3. Apply pressure to the right iliac bone using your fist then swing your right leg back and forth. Repeat 10 times. Once you're done, do it on the left side.
4. Put your fingertips on both sides of the neck while turning your head left to right. Next, gently push the upper cervical vertebrae on the left towards the center while swinging your right arm back and forth and turning your head left to right. After 20 seconds, push the cervical vertebrae on the right towards the center while swinging the left arm and turning your head left to right.

When to Seek a Doctor's Advice

The back pain experienced by children can vary greatly to that of adults and be a sign of a far more serious, underlying condition. Please seek help immediately from a medical professional should your child's back pain be accompanied by:

• Weakness or numbness
• Weight loss
• Fever
• Bowel or bladder problems
• Radiating pain down one or both legs
• Walking difficulties
• Back pain that prevents the child from sleeping

You may check out Natural Therapy Pages for a complete list of qualified practitioners of the Dorn Method in your neighbourhood.