Back-to-School in Chicago: Backpack Safety and Posture Check Tips

Back-to-school season in Chicago means new clothes, fresh supplies, and—often—a backpack that’s bigger than your child. While style matters, the way a backpack fits and the amount of weight your child carries can have a huge impact on their posture and long-term spinal health.

Even a well-aligned spine can be strained by heavy, uneven loads. Backpacks should weigh no more than 10% of your child’s body weight. Use both straps, adjust so the pack rests mid-back, and choose padded straps for comfort. A quick posture assessment can help spot imbalances early.

With Chicago kids walking, taking the “L,” or biking to school, their posture is challenged daily. A simple spinal check can help them start the year strong, pain-free, and ready to learn.

Improves Mobility And Function

Did You Know That Everything In Your Body Is Connected Like Rubber Bands?

There are only two ways to break a rubber band.

Overextend a used one or overextend a tight one and muscles are the same way.

I see hundreds of people a week for completely preventable aches and pains, and it feels impossible to break free.

It's not.

Your body responds to stimulus just like this rubber band but through your nervous system.

Every little stretch or extension counts.

At our office, our chiropractic adjustments have one goal: to align the body so that your nervous system and muscles can respond to everyday stress without snapping.

Speeds Up Recovery Process

We Are Superhuman

We can't heal ourselves though like starfish, but our body is pretty cool.

Bumps, scrapes, and bruises all seem like a part of life.

After all, accidents do happen, but being sore all the time doesn't have to be a part of getting older.

With chiropractic care, we have helped thousands of people rebound from setbacks caused by all kinds of crazy things in life.

Things like sports injuries, car accidents, daily pain, and outdoor injuries.

Improves Organ Function

Health Is An Inside Job, But What Does That Mean?

Well, no quick fix or over-the-counter medication is going to get you to your health goals.

It's like painting flames on a car and expecting it to just go faster.

And in fact, many of these medications have damaging side effects on your internal organs, and the companies selling them know it.

These organs aren't like your skin or your eyes, where you can instantly feel a burn or cold or a scratch.

It often takes months or years for there to be a recognizable problem in the body, and unfortunately for many, once it's discovered, it's too late.

Just like your car, the ride is smoother when everything is in alignment, and all the internal systems are less likely to break.

If they break, though, your nervous system is like the free mechanic you wish you had on call.

That's why we believe in chiropractic care is the best way to impact the nervous system to improve someone's health and wellness because a fully happy, healthy, nervous system means a happy, healthy you.

Improves Digestion and Constipation

Everybody Has Bowel Movements

Moms, dads, babies, boys, and yes, even girls have bowel movements, but what's that got to do with you and me?

Well, the only thing worse than a stinky one is not being able to go, and we call that constipation.

Your digestive tract is full of muscles and nerves that tell your body what to do with your food.

There are more active nerves, enzymes, and hormones in your gut than in any other part of your body.

So if this isn't working, well, you're going to be in big trouble and due for a lot of pain.

And a lot of things can cause constipation: chronically bad posture, bad foods, hormone imbalances, stress, and more.

With chiropractic adjustments, the nervous system can regulate and get back on track so that normal digestion can take place.

Don't struggle.

Just get adjusted.

Feeling Scared About A Big Chiropractic Adjustment For A Small Person?

Interested In Chiropractic But Still Worried?

Trust me, I get it.

I hear this day in, day out because I am a pediatric and family-based chiropractor here in Chicago and Northwest Indiana.

And that is the biggest concern when I talk to parents that are wanting to bring in their baby or their child, and I let them know that we are different.

We aren't looking to move the spine, make things crack, pop.

What we're focused on doing in our practice is tuning the nervous system so that we can help their body function better, which is going to change the symptoms that they're presenting with.

And we do this through chiropractic adjustments.

We just use a different tool.

And so that's where we use this tool.

It's called an integrator and it puts an impulse into the spine and changes how the nervous system's working. We do this on children, older babies. For smaller babies, we use our hands, just gentle pressure so that we're not doing anything crazy, strong, forceful, so completely gentle, completely safe, and a great way to help the body heal and function better the way that your body was designed to work.

Improves Infants' Health And Wellness

Why Did I Become A Chiropractor?

It's not all that cracked up to be.

Just kidding.

I couldn't fathom not serving and helping the kids that I do now in my practice, but it all started when I was in high school.

I had back pain when I was a child, even when I was very young, and I didn't get taken care of for it, or I didn't see relief for it until I went to the chiropractor for the first time when I was 18.

From that point on, I knew that I wanted to help people.

I wanted to help athletes improve their function, improve their performance because I was an athlete, and I played collegiate soccer.

And so, I planned to go to chiropractic school and then graduate and work with doctors who were working with professional athletes, helping people, and helping people rehab.

And that's what I thought was going to work.

And then, I learned what chiropractic could do for kids.

I heard a story about a child with autism who was completely in his world, not able to express himself, not able to communicate with his family, and living a normal life.

He was connecting and wasn't having as many meltdowns.

And I heard this story in this transition through video so that I could see it firsthand.

And this child then, later on, was having full conversations and living a normal life as a child.

And my vision was to serve children with special needs and to take care of families, pregnant women, and adults who are looking for something different for their health.

It's Not All It's Cracked Up To Be, So Why Did I Become A Chiropractor?

Why Did I Become A Chiropractor?

It's not all that cracked up to be.

Just kidding.

I couldn't fathom not serving and helping the kids that I do now in my practice, but it all started when I was in high school.

I had back pain when I was a child, even when I was very young, and I didn't get taken care of for it, or I didn't see relief for it until I went to the chiropractor for the first time when I was 18.

From that point on, I knew that I wanted to help people.

I wanted to help athletes improve their function, improve their performance because I was an athlete, and I played collegiate soccer.

And so, I planned to go to chiropractic school and then graduate and work with doctors who were working with professional athletes, helping people, and helping people rehab.

And that's what I thought was going to work.

And then, I learned what chiropractic could do for kids.

I heard a story about a child with autism who was completely in his world, not able to express himself, not able to communicate with his family, and living a normal life.

He was connecting and wasn't having as many meltdowns.

And I heard this story in this transition through video so that I could see it firsthand.

And this child then, later on, was having full conversations and living a normal life as a child.

And my vision was to serve children with special needs and to take care of families, pregnant women, and adults who are looking for something different for their health.

Adjustments Improve Thinking

Work Smarter, Not Harder, Right?

Chicago and Northwest Indiana are full of high achievers, but we all get slowed down a little.

So how do we think bigger, better, and more often?

I'm Doctor Tom with Roots Family Chiropractic, and my only job is getting the brain to communicate with the body so you can live your best life.

If you're busy leading the family, owning your own business, or always on the go, you can't afford to have a foggy brain.

And when the brain is all clogged up, imagine what's going on to the rest of the body.

That's why so many high-performing and busy athletes, coaches, moms, and entrepreneurs use chiropractic care.

It's the most natural path to health and wellness and the most effective way to work smarter, not harder.

Patient Experience At Roots Family Chiropractic

We Have Plenty of Diagnostic Tools!

We have a heart rate variability scan that measures how variable your pulse is.

We want your heart rate variability to be as high as possible so you can adapt to life and every circumstance.

This means being able to better deal with stress.

Next is our Thermography scan which measures the temperature in your spine and lets us know the level of irritation and stress in your nerves.

We also have an EMG scan which allows us to measure the overall activity and tension in the muscles and lets us know whether or not they can support your spine.

Any issues here could be symptoms of stress and inactivity in these areas, and that can lead to poor posture among other back problems.

So let us help you improve your posture and your general well-being with Chiropractic!

Curious About Dr Tom’s First Visit to the Chiropractor? Here’s Why He is the Way He is Today!

The first time I went to the chiropractor, it changed the trajectory of my life.

As a kid, I struggled with a lot of anxiety, pain discomfort, and I dealt with it daily, and going to the chiropractor for the first time gave me answers.

Gave me answers that no one else gave me and allowed me to see why I was struggling.

Hi, I'm Doctor Tom Williams, owner of Roots Family Chiropractic in Chicago and Northwest Indiana, and I would like to help you on this journey towards health and healing.

I would like to help you understand why you or your child are struggling and be given answers that are different from the rest and be given hope for something more.

If you'd like to learn more about how chiropractic adjustments can improve a child's health, a child's focus, a child's development, or help your body adapt to the stress around you. Give us a call!

Decreases Inflammation, A Big Cause Of Pains!

When You Get Hurt Your Body Swells Up

Usually, they tell you to use the R.I.C.E. method: rest, ice, compress and elevate, but with a job, family, and normal life, that isn't always an option.

And that's when many of us run to ice or heat packs, over-the-counter drugs, and eventually prescriptions.

What if there was a better way?

See, all pain and discomfort are felt by the effects of inflammation in the body.

Inflammation can come from damage or injury, poor diet, stress, or even an allergic reaction.

Chiropractic adjustments relieve the inflammation by helping the body get proper blood flow, taking pressure off of the joints under stress, and helping the nervous system regulate everything it's supposed to.

Health is an inside job.

That's how, at Roots Family Chiropractic, we help thousands in Chicago and Northwest Indiana feel better and unlock their health potential.

The Body Heals Itself Naturally

Okay, Serious Questions

If you can answer all five, you might know the secret to life.

Have you ever broken a bone?

Had a cut?

Bruise?

I doubt anyone hasn't, but let me ask you another.

What happened next?

You got better.

The body healed itself because that's what we do, and we're made for it without prescriptions, without dangerous side effects, without the newest sick scare in the news, and a pile of shots, without even trying.

The body is designed to do everything we need.

So what's stopping us from feeling our best right now?

Let me tell you.

I'm Doctor Tom with Roots Family Chiropractic, and I've been helping people maximize the way they feel for the past six years since I opened my practice.

There's one simple thing I've dedicated my life to and help thousands of others understand.

Here's the secret.

The brain and body have to communicate at 100%, 24/7, but for most of us, it's at 60 to 70% or even worse.

What would an extra 30% income look like?

30% more time with your family?

30% more fun?

I think we can all agree that 30% is worth it.

It's our goal at Roots Family Chiropractic to get people living as close to their 100% as possible.

We do it all by getting the body to truly communicate appropriately through chiropractic adjustments.

Chiropractors Only Treat Back Pain?

Rant time and I'm calling all practice members to back me up on this.

Waiting for pain is insane, and the only thing better than getting over and out of pain is never getting there in the first place.

Unfortunately, people think I'm just a pain doctor, a couple of cracks here and there, and all of a sudden, people are back at their 100% ready to take on the day.

Not true.

Don't you think if we're great at getting people out of pain, we'd be great at preventing it too?

I'm Doctor Tom with Roots Family Chiropractic, and we treat more than just back pain.

Let's get rid of this silly myth.

A Chicago Experience Prenatal Chiropractic At ROOTS

We Are One Of The Most Highly Rated Pediatric And Prenatal Chiropractic Practices Here In The City, And I Wanted To Give You A Tour

So come on back with me.

This is our adjusting area.

It's open because we wanted to make sure that our members and families were comfortable, ready, and having a fun time.

And so, this is where kids can be running around, mom and dad can be getting adjusted, and then the kiddos can be getting adjusted and they will feel comfortable and happy to do that so that we can work towards some health goals with them.

This is where we do these consultations so that I can learn what's going on so that we can know how we can help and how we can positively impact your family's life.

As you see in our hallway here, we've got lots of success stories.

We have these here so that you can come in, read some of them, and feel inspired that your family can reach health to another level.

Our last stop here in our exam room is where we're doing these assessments, complete neurological assessments so that we can make sure that we're getting to the root cause of why you're not living at your best, and so that we know how long it's going to take and that we're doing these checks throughout the entire process.

Once You Start, You Have To See A Chiropractor For Life?

People Always Ask Me

Why they have to keep coming back if chiropractic works so well.

I always like to ask how often do you brush your teeth. How often should you eat fruits and vegetables? How often do you work out and shower? Those are all certainly good for you, but you can't just do it once and be set for life.

I'm a chiropractor, and while the work we do is amazing, we're not just a quick fix. We focus on the cause of health challenges and want to focus on the quality of your entire life, not just today. It's not a lifetime commitment to see us, it's a lifetime commitment to your health, and that's different for everybody, and ultimately your choice.

Helps Calm A Hyperactive Mind And Helps Energize A Depressed Mind

I'm A Firm Believer That Life Is Better When You Get What You Want

When you feel good, look good, and focus on your friends, family, and fun, it's a good time.

Unfortunately, I know what it's like to be super distracted and anxious by the day-to-day, and many of my patients and I also know what it's like to feel like giving up, helpless, and like nothing we do is enough.

But these mood swings are normal with the seasons of life, even though they feel like they're only happening to us.

Our bodies respond to everything, hormones, stress, nutrition, and even our posture.

A hyperactive or depressed mind is almost always due to the thoughts, traumas, and toxins we have around us, but we can take control.

Did you know the Superman pose was proven to boost confidence?

See, health is on your side.

That's why at Roots Family Chiropractic, we focus so much on natural drug-free health solutions.

Our adjustments help your body do what it was designed to do so you can think better, feel better, and see your health staying on track.

I'm Doctor Tom.

I help Chicago and Northwest Indiana unlock their true health potential through the gift of chiropractic.

Treat The Cause Of Pain, Not The Symptoms

This is going to sound crazy, but if your hands were cold, would you cut them off?

Probably not.

You'd wear some gloves, but if that wasn't enough, what would you do next?

I'd say, get out of the cold, silly.

Well, our health is the same way.

Oftentimes we mask and cover up symptoms with things like prescriptions, days off, or the "I'm feeling fine" white lies, but it doesn't have to be that way.

You can take control of your health naturally by addressing the root cause of your symptoms or pains.

In almost all causes of daily pain, there is a nervous system response and imbalance.

I'm Doctor Tom of Roots Family Chiropractic, and my job is to adjust you so that your nervous system can take care of the rest, allowing you to respond and recover to the stress life throws at you.

There Is Hope For Every Single Child

Do You Feel Like Your Child Is Stuck And Not Seeing The Improvements They Once Were?

Do you feel unheard by your child's healthcare team?

Do you feel like your child is constantly locked in a state of stress?

Do you feel like there is a higher expression of life in your child, but you don't know how to unlock it?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, I want you to know that I believe there is hope for healing and improved development with every single child.

Hi, I'm Doctor Tom Williams, founder of Roots Family Chiropractic, one of the leading family chiropractic practices in Chicago with more than 160 five-star Google reviews.

I've seen kids who have plateaued with their care start to improve again.

I've seen kids who only play by themselves start to interact and make friends.

I've seen kids who literally can't stop moving have times of peace.

I've seen kids who communicate through sign language with only five signs start to talk.

I've seen kids who initially couldn't crawl start to crawl and then walk.

I've seen kids look their mom in the eye for the first time.

I've seen all of this through the power of consistent chiropractic care.

If you're looking for a doctor who will listen to you and who will see your child for who they were meant to be, then you are in the right place.

Hey Doc! What Did I Do?!

Oftentimes people come in and tell me, "it happened all of a sudden," when they're describing their pain.

Fun fact, injuries don't just happen all at once.

Less than 10% of your nerves feel pain so you don't feel issues until they are the big ones.

So picking up your kid, stepping off a curb, or getting in the car, doesn't throw out your back.

It happens over years of bad posture movement, and as a buildup of habitual patterns in the muscles.

If you've struggled with throwing out your back, an emergency chiropractic visit won't fix it for life.

Neither will a medication nor a fancy new chair.

That's why our adjustments focus on the cause of pains and why so many of our members stay with us for wellness care.