The dangers of children sitting in a “W” position and the reasons why they shouldn’t
Children are prone to sitting in several awkward positions whichever may suit their whims at the moment. Although it may prove that they do have supple and flexible bones, some postures and styles of sitting can actually be harmful to their health. One particular posture of sitting with legs out on both sides forming a ‘W’ shape is not at all correct for your child. The W sitting habit is bad and the moment you see your kid sitting like that, ask her to change her posture.
Flexibility is good but there are a host of reasons not to sit in such a manner and they are all about negative health. This is why!!
1 Restricted Hip Movement
Because of the undue stress placed on the knees and hips, the body adapts to sitting in this fashion. Overtime though, the ability of the hips to rotate freely is restricted and will soon impede your child’s efforts to sit with legs in front of the body.
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2 Contorted Lower Leg or Tibial Torsion
The W sitting habit will also have a harmful effect on the hip and lower leg alignment. The lower leg may soon be twisted out of shape resulting in stiffness of leg bones. Once the lower legs adapt to such positions and become contorted or twisted as the child grows older, the condition is known as Tibial torsion.
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3 Muscle Tightness and Constriction
Constriction of muscle with tightness and restriction of flexible moment may make the skeletal system weak which could lead to hip dislocation.
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4 Neurological and Development Problems
With prolonged use of such harmful positions of sitting, the child may soon find it difficult to stand and walk where skeletal degeneration may be accelerated while aging. Hand preference is also impeded due to inability of trunk rotation.
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5 Ways And Means to Break the Habits of Wrongful Posture
Patience and understanding will achieve results. Explain to your child preferably with the help of images why it is wrong to sit that way. Remind and correct your child when you see them sitting in such a manner. Ensure that your child remains active by engaging in playful activity involving healthy stretching and mobility. Activity can help break the W sitting habit.
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