We all know it’s important to exercise, and it’s especially important to keep our kids active. With a modern diet that is often packed with calories and food in overabundance, parents find themselves encouraging sports more than ever. We’re happy to see our kids engaging in competitive sports and individual exercise, both of which teach our kids important principles while strengthening their bodies.

However, it’s important to recognize and protect our kids against the downsides of this increased participation in sports. As our kids become involved in competitive sports, they also may be at risk of sports injuries. We need to teach our kids some basic best practices to keep our kids healthy and prevent serious injuries that may hinder their athletic abilities when they are adults. Our kids need to know how to stretch, hydrate, listen to their bodies and protect themselves against to unreasonable expectations from coaches and trainers.

Know What to Look For

Sports-related injuries are on the rise. This is partially because your child’s growing musculoskeletal system is not the same as an adult’s developed musculoskeletal system, but the adults coaching and training the children are not aware of the implications of these differences.

For example, your child’s tendons and ligaments are stronger your child’s the epiphyseal plate; therefore, in the case of trauma, the epiphyseal plate will break long before the ligament would tear. At the same time, your child’s bones and muscles are more elastic and heal faster than an adult’s bones or muscles. Imbalances in strength and flexibility and changes in the biomechanical properties of your child’s bones may place your child at risk for injury if they continue in a particular sport unmonitored.

Monitor and Protect Your Child from Injury

If your child is in sports, you should have your child evaluated by a chiropractor to watch for subluxations (misalignments) and symptoms that your child may be pushed to perform exercise that is not appropriate for your child developmentally. If your child suffers a sports injury, your chiropractor can help speed healing and prevent re-injury through adjustments that promote quick healing and prevent further damage.

Looking for a Sports Injury Chiropractor in Huntersville NC?

Dr. Doyle has worked extensively with local sports teams and athletes, tailoring exercise and recovery plans for them to ensure they stay strong and avoid injury.

Give us a call at 704-947-7272 or stop by our office to talk to Dr. Doyle about ways to help your child recover from injury and perform at his or her maximum potential.