Have kids who play sports? Sports injuries are a common concern for every parent. Whether they play soccer. Football. Basketball. Hockey. Surf. Skateboard. Sports are great. Kids need to be outdoors. Part of a team. Engaged in activities they love. But there’s a risk. And you want to protect them from getting hurt. Here’s how it’s done.
Here’s How to Prevent Youth Sports Injuries
I practice holistic, gentle touch chiropractic care. Several clients are parents. Many have kids who play sports. Some ask about the benefits of chiropractic for kids. Can it help with sports injuries? Yes. But prevention is the best medicine.
What are Youth Sports Injuries?
First things first. To prevent youth sports injuries, you need to understand them. So what are they? They’re injuries young athletes experience when playing sports. There are two types: acute and chronic injuries.
- Acute sports injuries happen suddenly. From falling. Collisions. Twisting. Direct impact.
- Chronic sports injuries happen over time. From repetitive stress. Using the wrong technique over time. Overuse.
The most common acute youth sports injuries include:
Sprains
Sprains happen when ligaments tear. Ankle sprains are common when landing wrong after a jump. Sprained wrists from falling the wrong way. Knee sprains from twisting wrong.
Strains
Strains occur when kids exert their muscles. Or overstress tendons. Calf strains from cross-country. Quadricep strains from kicking soccer balls.
Dental Injury
Dental injuries are common in kids who play contact sports. Broken teeth. Jaw injuries.
Broken Bones and Fractures
Bones break. A broken wrist from a skateboard fall. Fracturing the forearm in a football game. Breaking a finger while playing basketball.
Dislocations
Dislocations are when bones come out of their socket. Usually the shoulder. Whether skiing. Doing gymnastics. Kneecaps can become dislocated in jumping sports. A finger can easily dislocate when catching a ball wrong.
Concussions
Concussions happen with head trauma. Causing dizziness. Headaches. Even unconsciousness and memory loss. They can happen from falls. From collisions when playing hockey. Soccer. Football.
How Parents Can Help Their Kids Avoid Sports Injuries
Want to prevent youth sports injuries? Talk to your kids. No child should suffer from lower back pain. A little prevention goes a long way. Here are some of the golden rules of playing sports without getting hurt.
- Wear necessary protective gear. Always. Wrist guards. Knee pads. A helmet. Use a mouthguard if necessary.
- Only play once you’ve warmed up. It helps prevent muscle strains.
- Learn the right technique. Then use it. Kids should learn how to play or perform sports properly when learning. This helps avoid acute and chronic injury.
- Don’t play when you’re tired. There’s a bigger chance you’ll get hurt. The same thing goes if you’re in pain. It’s better to sit out a game or two. You’ll avoid potential injury. And sitting out the entire season.
- Stay physically fit. Sports require strength. Agility. Focus. Sitting around for weeks, then jumping into a football game is a recipe for disaster.
- Rest. The body needs time to recover. Don’t push yourself. Take a day off sometimes. Pro athletes do it. Take Lebron James. He prioritizes rest. Sleep. Recovery. He says it’s been key to elite performance year after year.
How to Deal With Youth Sports Injuries?
Say your kid gets hurt playing sports. They might need medical help. But not always. Mild injuries can be treated at home. Watch their symptoms. Manage them until they get better. Or you can get them to the doctor. Try OTC pain meds. Experts recommend the “RICE” method. Rest. Ice. Compression. Elevate. It’s great for managing both acute and chronic sports injuries. Use it for the first 24-36 hours following an injury. It will help reduce swelling. Pain. Inflammation.
When to Contact Your Doctor
What about youth sports injuries that can’t be healed at home? Don’t delay in seeing your doctor. Especially with:
- Excessive bruising
- Bleeding that doesn’t stop
- Body parts showing signs of deformity
- Extreme swelling that doesn’t go away
- The injured body part doesn’t move or can’t be used
- Difficulty moving because the pain is so bad and doesn’t subside over time
Last Thoughts on Preventing Youth Sports Injuries
Parents, listen to this. Preventing youth sports injuries starts with awareness. It continues with support. Kids shouldn’t be pushed to their limits. That’s the last way they’ll succeed. They need guidance. Proper training. Rest. A body that moves well. Staying aligned. Resilient. This way, they can enjoy the sports they love. Go eat tacos with friends after games. Play longer. Heal faster. Grow stronger. Both on and off the field.