As your children get older the good news is that they will often grow out of the conditions which were so troublesome in their early years. In particular, the congestive disorders - such as glue ear - will often fade by the age of eight as growth of the skull will turn the eustacian tubes more vertical and natural drainage will improve.

The dramatic growth spurts especially at around age 8 and again at puberty can upset their physical as well as their emotional equilibrium. They suddenly have really long legs. Spines and pelvises get out of balance. They start playing contact sports. Their favourite toys become skateboards, jump bikes and various Nintendo gadgets. Conversation is replaced by texting, twittering and face booking (if such a verb exists!).They develop a posture to match.

Help is at hand. We can advise on and treat a whole range of sports injuries. We can help to smooth out those skeletal inbalances which develop.We can give exercises which are fun to do. Most of all we understand that teenagers are the age group least likely to ask for help and probably the one most in need of it.