W Sitting

[Guest guest]

I know that there has been some discussion on no surgery a while back about

W

sitting. I just wanted to pass this on, it came form my son's monthly

school newsletter. It is " What is Wrong with W-Sitting? " Handout for

Parents and Teachers written by McNamara PT.

" W-sitting is not recommended for anyone. Many typically developing

children

do move though this position during play, but all parents should be aware

that the " excessive " use of this position during the growing years can lead

to future orthopedic problems. There are orthopedic concerns. W-sitting

can predispose a child to hip dislocation, so if there is a history of hip

dysphasia or a concern has been raised in the past, this position should be

avoided. If there is muscle tightness, W-sitting will aggravate it. This

position places the hamstrings, hip adductors, internal rotators and heel

cords in an extremely shortened range. If a child is prone to tightness or

contractors, encourage another pattern of sitting. "

" There are neuralgic concerns/developmental delays. If a child had

increased muscle tone (hypertonia, spasticity) W-sitting will feed into the

abnormal patterns of movement trying to be avoided. When playing in other

sitting postures, children develop the trunk control and rotation necessary

for midline crossing (reaching across the body) and sparation of the two

sides of the body. These skills are needed for a child to develop refined

motor skills and hand dominance. "

'How to prevent W-sitting. The most effective away to prevent a problem

with w-sitting its prevent it from becoming a habit in the first place.

Anticipate and catch it before the child even learns to w-sit. "

I hope this is helpful. )

Sara and Ivy 8/17/99

www.clubfoot.net

[Guest guest]

Thanks for the info, Sara. Since the earlier postings on this, we've

been correcting by putting him into a better sitting position

whenever he goes into this position and is doing it less and less as

a result... :-)

Blessings,

Pam

> I know that there has been some discussion on no surgery a while

back about

> W

> sitting. I just wanted to pass this on, it came form my son's

monthly

> school newsletter. It is " What is Wrong with W-Sitting? " Handout

for

> Parents and Teachers written by McNamara PT.

>

> " W-sitting is not recommended for anyone. Many typically developing

> children

> do move though this position during play, but all parents should be

aware

> that the " excessive " use of this position during the growing years

can lead

> to future orthopedic problems. There are orthopedic concerns. W-

sitting

> can predispose a child to hip dislocation, so if there is a history

of hip

> dysphasia or a concern has been raised in the past, this position

should be

> avoided. If there is muscle tightness, W-sitting will aggravate

it. This

> position places the hamstrings, hip adductors, internal rotators

and heel

> cords in an extremely shortened range. If a child is prone to

tightness or

> contractors, encourage another pattern of sitting. "

> " There are neuralgic concerns/developmental delays. If a child

had

> increased muscle tone (hypertonia, spasticity) W-sitting will feed

into the

> abnormal patterns of movement trying to be avoided. When playing

in other

> sitting postures, children develop the trunk control and rotation

necessary

> for midline crossing (reaching across the body) and sparation of

the two

> sides of the body. These skills are needed for a child to develop

refined

> motor skills and hand dominance. "

> 'How to prevent W-sitting. The most effective away to prevent

a problem

> with w-sitting its prevent it from becoming a habit in the first

place.

> Anticipate and catch it before the child even learns to w-sit. "

>

> I hope this is helpful. )

>

> Sara and Ivy 8/17/99

> www.clubfoot.net