Most parents who bring their child to see me have noticed something.

Maybe it’s how their teen slouches at the dinner table. Or how their 10-year-old walks with one shoulder higher than the other. Or how no matter how many times they’re told to “stand up straight” — it just doesn’t stick.

That’s the thing. You can tell your child to straighten up — and they might do it for a few seconds — but they’ll go right back to their old posture.

Why? Because they don’t really know what straight feels like. Even if they do, their body might not be using the right muscles to hold it.

Some kids come to me with aches and pains. Others aren’t in pain yet — but their parents just know something’s off. They’re usually worried it’ll get worse with time, and honestly, they’re right to check.

When should you be concerned about your child’s posture?

Let’s be clear: kids don’t need perfect posture. They’re going to hang off chairs, lie in strange positions, and slouch sometimes. That’s normal.

But when those patterns become chronic — or when something looks obviously off — that’s when it’s worth digging deeper.

Here are some signs that might show something’s out of balance:

• Constant slouching, even when they try to sit upright

• One shoulder or hip higher than the other

• A head that always tilts to one side

• Knees collapsing inward when standing or walking

• Complaints of back, neck, or foot pain

It’s not about looking military-straight. It’s about whether their posture is affecting how their body functions — now or in the long run.

With mobile phones, less physical activity, and even emotional stress, these imbalances are more common than ever.

Why posture therapy works so well for kids and teens

The good news? Kids respond fast.

Their posture habits aren’t as deeply ingrained as adults, and so their muscles are more adaptable.

When you catch issues early, you don’t need to “fix” years of compensation — you just guide the body back into balance.

Most adults I work with need at least 5–6 months of consistent work to make deep changes. With kids, the turnaround is often much quicker. That doesn’t mean it’s magic, but the window of opportunity is real — and worth acting on.

What’s different about working with kids

Over the years, I’ve found a few key things that make posture correction more successful with children and teens:

• Keep it short.
  Kids don’t need 30-minute exercise routines. Most of the time, 5–10 minutes a day is plenty — if it’s the right sequence.

• Keep it simple.
  I choose exercises that are easy to follow and effective — which makes them more likely to stick with it.

• Get them involved.
  When kids help choose which exercises they do (from a shortlist I provide), they feel more engaged and motivated.

• No shaming.
  I never tell a child their posture is “bad.” I just help them see where their body is a bit out of balance — and show them how to improve it.

• Tailored sessions.
  Sessions are age-appropriate, practical, and encouraging — always focused on what can improve.

Why sooner is better

I’ve worked with adults in their 40s or 50s who say, “I’ve had this posture since I was a teenager.” It’s not that it can’t be changed — it can, but the earlier you start, the easier it is.

That’s why working with kids is such a great opportunity. You’re not just helping them look better — you’re helping them move better, avoid future pain, and build long-term confidence in their body.

Final thoughts for parents

If you’ve been noticing something off in your child’s posture — or if they’ve started to complain of discomfort — you don’t need to guess what’s going on. You also don’t need to nag them into sitting straighter.

Posture therapy offers a practical, non-invasive way to check what’s really going on — and give your child a simple path to improvement.

Most of all, it gives parents peace of mind. You’re not waiting and hoping. You’re taking action early.

Want to find out more about how it works?
Here’s what to expect at your child’s first visit.

 

Written by Ameet Bhakta
Posture Specialist | Health Through Posture
Clinics in London, Tunbridge Wells & Online
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