Playing sports is something many children do and while fewer go on to continue the sport in high school or college, playing sports as a child is how most children learn how to work as a team and build confidence and sportsmanship. You may think that children don’t have to worry about sports injuries aside from getting hit with a ball because they’re naturally limber and agile but it’s simply not the case. Children can experience the same injuries that adults do from overuse and not warming up properly.
Common Sports Injuries for Kids
Strains and sprains are the most common sports injuries in kids. Concussions are most common in football and should always be checked out by a doctor. An ACL tear is a knee injury that can happen due to a twisting motion. Baseball elbow is an overuse injury that can affect anyone playing baseball, not just the pitcher.
One cause for sports injuries in children is the vast difference in their sizes. Kids hit growth spurts at different times to so the smaller kids may have to work harder to keep up with the bigger kids and in contact sports, the smaller kids usually get hurt first.
During growth spurts that can consist of several inches of growth in a year, kids often are less coordinated as they get used to their changing bodies.
Most sports injuries in children are not serious. Head injuries should be checked out by a doctor. Sprains and strains can often be treated by RICE―rest, ice, compression, and elevation.
Things Kids Can Do To Minimize Injuries
Wear the right equipment.
Wear proper-fitting equipment such as helmets, mouth guards, shin pads, and shoes. It may be tempting to give your child hand-me-down equipment from an older sibling to save some money but this should only be done if it’s the right fit.
Stay hydrated.
On or off the field, children need to drink enough water, at least eight 8-oz. glasses a day.
Eat a healthy diet.
A well-balanced diet not only gives children the nutrients they need to play but it will help keep them at a healthy weight which can keep injuries down.
Drink milk.
Children need enough calcium to build strong bones.
Warm up.
Before each practice or game, stretching all over, jogging in place, and other light cardio will loosen things up and reduce the risk of torn muscles.
Get enough sleep.
At least 8 hours of sleep is best to keep the athlete from being sluggish which can decrease performance and increase the risk of injuries.
See a chiropractor.
Just as in adults, chiropractic care helps treat sports injuries before they lead to chronic pain. Seeing a chiropractor before sports begin can aid in maintaining balance and flexibility as well as keeping the nervous system functioning properly which has been shown to improve the immune system.
At North County Pain Relief, we take a holistic approach to your child’s health. Upon the initial consultation and exam, we’ll come up with a plan to treat your child’s injury so they can get back out on that court, field, or track. Call North County Pain Relief today at (314) 731-4201 to schedule a free initial consultation for you or your child.
