A Community Collaboration between Topsail Chiropractic Topsail, elementary schools, and the Coastal Pender Rotary Club has begun visiting Topsail elementary school classes identifying strategies for developing a lifetime of health, starting from the spine up.  

Drs. Courtney and Ruston Tippetts, owners of Topsail Chiropractic, have developed the “Healthy Spine Toolkit” they are demonstrating to 4^th, 5th and 6th grade students at South Topsail and Annadale elementary schools.  Having identified that several school activities, such as, the need for backpacks, which are often heavy, and the need to remain seated during much of each school day, can be counter-productive for developing spinal stability. The doctors engage with students through interactive demonstrations, showing that “ergonomics” isn’t just a word for adults in offices – it is also super important for kids.

The “Healthy Spine” toolkit is presented in three main sections:  

1. The Backpack Blueprint - Backpacks should never weigh more than 10-15% of a student’s body weight and the use of the “Two-Strap Rule” to prevent strain and spinal curvature. When wearing the straps ensure that backpacks are high on the back not hanging past the waist.   
2. The Power of Posture – through fun “Look Tall” exercises, students learn how sitting upright increases oxygen flow to the brain while helping them stay focused during their classwork.  
3. Classroom Ergonomics – students are given practical tips to avoid “tech neck” that include the correct way to look at a tablet or computer and the ideal height for a desk chair.  The Toolkit suggests that when student’s to check their “Ear-to-Shoulder” alignment are at home to see that their ears are stacked directly over their shoulders and to take a break every 30 minutes of homework to engage in 5 minutes of stretching or “wiggling.”

“The kids were so engaged and had such good genuine questions!” was the reaction of a Rotary member, Deborah Martarelli, who coordinated several of the class presentations and also offered, “We are grateful to Drs. Corutney and Ruston Tippett for donating their time and expertise.”  

The Coastal Pender Rotary Club is dedicated to support our Community and is pleased to coordinate these health education presentations in conjunction with Topsail Chiropractic and the Topsail elementary schools. For more information about the “Healthy Spine Toolkit” email: coastalpenderrotary@gmail.com.

Rotary members believe that we have a shared responsibility to take action on our world’s most persistent issues – to promote peace; fight disease; provide clean water, sanitation and hygiene; improve maternal and child health; support education; grow local economies; protect the environment.  For Rotary information please view our website www.CoastalPenderRotaryClub.com or email: coastalpenderrotary@gmail.com.