THE PARENTING BIZ – Matters Affecting Those In Between . . . Here’s who has their back (and more!)
The vibrant world of pre-adolescence can be both exciting and challenging.
As children begin to gain independence and make their own decisions in the world, tweens (primarily those 10 to 13 years of age) are also faced with hormonal changes, plus shifting relationships with family and friends, which bring with it a host of academic difficulties, along with mental and physical health concerns.
No matter what, they still need their parents during this transition and communication is key . . . but parents need help at times to deal with all these changes. Who can they turn to?
The following story highlights local businesses, groups and organizations that serve this community who can assist your tween along with their journey into adolescence and eventually into adulthood.
Neck & Spinal Care
As kids move into their tween and teenage years, increased screen time on phones and rough housing with friends can have a detrimental impact on their back and posture.
Located at 525 Cabana Road East, Unit 1 in Windsor, Cabana Chiropractic & Health Centre, and their staff of 12, offer spinal adjustments, ultrasound therapy, laser therapy, TENS, acupuncture, radial shockwave therapy for chronic conditions, spinal decompression therapy for disc bulges and nerve impingement, as well as the administration of rehabilitation and exercise therapy.
“In addition to bruises, sprains and strains, the direct impact and application of force, which occurs in roughhousing or rough play, can impact a tween’s joints, muscles, and soft tissues of the neck and back,” says Dr. Lisa Rino, Owner of Cabana Chiropractic & Health Centre. “Facet joints between each bone making up the spinal column may become fixed or ‘locked up,’ which decreases normal range of motion causing inflammation and pain. Muscles surrounding the joints may then spasm to protect the injured joint, and delicate nerve tissue may also become pinched or irritated.”
Since opening Cabana Chiropractic & Health Centre in 2001, Dr. Rino has treated a wide range of patients of all ages.
“I have treated many sports injuries in tween athletes on both competitive and recreational teams,” she tells Biz X. “Travelling with The Dance Barre’s competitive team led to the treatment of many acute injuries requiring chiropractic care in all areas of the body.”
According to Rino, tweens often suffer from the same strains they did as children.
Contact sports, slip and falls, heavy backpacks, texting (the tween’s head and neck are flexed forward as he/she looks down with the upper back unsupported), playing video games, plus the emotional stress and hormonal changes associated with puberty or their growing responsibilities may cause back pain, stiffness, numbness or weakness.
“Chiropractors have long recognized such spinal health hazards, which may lead to poor posture, spinal misalignments and muscular strain,” Rino explains. “Using special instruments or techniques adapted for your tween’s size and condition, chiropractic adjustments help to return joints to a normal position. The frequency that a child requires an adjustment, as they go through a growth spurt, will vary, depending on the child’s physical, chemical, and emotional stress. A complaint of persistent neck or back pain, limited mobility, uneven shoulders, bending in a particular direction when they stand or walk to compensate for pain, or irregular sleep patterns and irritability, may indicate that your child requires a chiropractic evaluation.”
Mental Health
Opened in 2018, Pinnacle Psychology and Psychotherapy offers assessments, treatment and consultation for infants, preschoolers, children, adolescents, adults, and families.
Their staff of seven psychologists, psychotherapists, social workers, and psychiatrists provide both in-person and virtual/remote services across Ontario (but primarily in Windsor Essex, Chatham Kent, and Sarnia Lambton) specializing in counselling psychology, clinical psychology, school psychology, neuropsychology, psychotherapy, and counselling with infants, children, adolescents, adults, and families.
They are also a teaching and clinical training site, providing supervision and clinical direction to graduate and doctoral students and qualifying professionals under supervised practice.
Located at 300 Eugenie Street East, Suite D, in Windsor, Pinnacle Psychology and Psychotherapy provides neuropsychological, psychological, and psycho-educational assessments for a wide range of disorders, including neurodevelopmental disorders (such as ADHD and autism), disorders affecting learning and everyday functioning (such as learning disabilities and intellectual disability), and mental-health related disorders (such as anxiety disorders, depressive disorders, bipolar disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorders, and personality disorders).
“A tween is commonly considered to be the age period between childhood and adolescence (roughly 10 to 13 years old) and is characterized by changes in social and emotional needs and development, autonomy, and independence,” indicates Dr. Lindsey Jaber, Clinical, Counselling, and School Psychologist with Pinnacle Psychology and Psychotherapy. “Common reasons that tweens and their families seek services include identity, independence, changing role within the family, transition from elementary to high school, social challenges (such as bullying and social media), peer relationships, relationships with siblings and parents, mental health-related issues (such as anxiety and depression), eating-related challenges and concerns, academic difficulties, executive functioning challenges, and self-regulation.”
According to Jaber, changes in hormones, sleep and eating habits, stress levels, and social media use/screen time, in addition to many other factors, can affect brain development and functioning — particularly executive functions — as well as mental health, self-esteem, self-concept, and confidence. All these changes taken together can affect a tween’s mood, behaviour, relationships, and academics.
But what is considered healthy behaviour and when should a tween receive professional help?
“It is difficult to provide a list of ‘healthy’ or common fluctuations in behaviour for tweens as there is much diversity across this group,” Jaber points out. “It may be time to consider seeking professional support when a tween is encountering challenges that are causing them significant distress and/or interfering with their daily lives, such as relationships, school, family, or extra-curriculars.”
She continues by stating: “Although this time of development can be characterized by a pulling away from families and turning towards peers for support, when families take the time to listen to tweens and offer their support and compassion — even when it’s not always welcomed — this can often have a considerable impact on a tween’s mental health and wellness.”