If it feels like everyone you know is spending their nights and weekends racing around to kids sports practices, games, tournaments and conditioning camps, you’re not far off. It isn’t everyone – but it is just over half. Between 2020 and 2021 (the most recent years in which data was available) 50.7% of youth ages 6-17 say they “participated on a sports team” or “took sports lessons afterschool or on weekends.” That number is even higher in kids aged 6-12. And in 2019, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services predicted that 63.3% of students will be playing by 2030.
And as it typically goes, where there are kids, there are injuries. More than 3.5 million children are injured each year playing sports, according to the Stanford Medicine Children’s Health and the Safe Kids Campaign. And while most of these are minor injuries (typically sprains and strains) it can be frustrating for both parents and kids to see their eager athlete stuck on the sidelines.
Chiropractic care can both treat and help to prevent sports injuries – in adults and kids alike. Here’s how.
Utilizing chiropractic care to prevent sports injuries isn’t a new concept. An estimated 90 percent of professional and Olympic-class athletes use chiropractic care to increase performance and reduce the risk of injury. All 32 NFL teams and most MLB teams have a full-time chiropractor provider on staff. Here’s why.
Research from the National Institutes of Health has shown that chiropractic care has the potential to significantly improve the performance, health, and well-being of athletes, making it an essential component of sports medicine. That’s because chiropractic care can help athletes (and even plenty of us regular people):
These elements all work together to prevent injury by reducing muscle strain and joint stiffness, aligning the spine and correcting joint imbalances, which can make the body less prone to injury. Improved strength and balance can also reduce the risk of falls and accidents.
The NIH study concludes, “the incorporation of chiropractic care into an athlete’s healthcare and training regimen is essential for optimal performance, injury prevention, and physical maintenance.”
Chiropractors routinely treat patients with a wide range of injury symptoms, including:
Concussion-like symptoms (although you should always seek immediate medical care for any head injury – especially in kids!)
According to the NIH research, “Numerous studies have reported positive outcomes in chiropractic-treated athletes, including improved musculoskeletal function, reduced pain, and enhanced recovery 1 2. One study involving judo athletes found that cervical spine manipulation led to a significant increase in grip strength, highlighting the potential of chiropractic care to improve athletic performance 6. Another study examining the role of sports chiropractors in the National Football League (NFL) demonstrated the benefits of chiropractic care in injury management and overall player health 4.”
If that weren’t enough, there are other benefits to treating injuries in kids with chiropractic care, including:
It’s medication- free. While medication can be important in treating more serious injuries that require intervention, for moms and dads who’d rather not use medication – or for kids who can’t or won’t take it – chiropractic care can provide pain relief by correcting imbalances and relieving inflammation that’s causing pain.
It can improve posture. Good posture is key in preventing mobility issues and pain and preventing injury. Hunching, slouching, forward head carriage, all put pressure on the spine and the surrounding muscles. Chiropractic care can improve posture and prevent pain and injury.
It’s non-invasive. In addition to being gentle for kids, chiropractic adjustments are considered safe when performed by a licensed Doctor of Chiropractic, and serious risks are rare.
While chiropractic care is a great way to prevent sports-related injuries in kids (and grownups!) there are plenty of things you can do to minimize risk for your kids, on and off the field. Here are some of our favorite tips:
That means not only warming up before activity but taking it slow when starting a new activity. As tempting as it is to jump straight into the game after, say, a long winter on the bench, encourage kids to take it slow, practice, and do some light drills before the season starts to ease themselves in.
Believe it or not, drinking enough water can help prevent injuries in kids. Staying hydrated helps improve mobility, recovery, and thermoregulation. It also improves mental clarity, which boosts performance and minimizes the chances of injury.
Medical professionals recommend at least one day off per week and one whole month off per year. While that may not sit well with all young athletes, sitting out a day or two will give their body sufficient time to recover – which can help them achieve optimal performance when they do get back in the game.
We mean it. Playing through the pain can mean the difference between a minor injury and a much more serious one. Instead of ignoring the signs of injury (pain), stop playing immediately and schedule an appointment with an expert to determine the best course of action.
When muscle strength and flexibility are maximized, players are less prone to injury because a healthy range of motion makes it easier for the body to perform. For optimal benefits, combine strength and conditioning with chiropractic care.
Players, especially children, should wear proper protective equipment. That means pads (neck, shoulder, elbow, chest, knee, shin), helmets, mouthpieces, face guards, protective cups, and eyewear – every time they practice OR play. It’s also important to ensure the equipment is properly fitted.
Find a Sports Injury & Prevention Chiropractor Near You or Schedule your appointment with one of our Chiro One doctors today.
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