Ask any collegiate level coach of any sport and they will tell you that multi-sport athletes are often what they are looking for. Many coaches, and even professional athletes, discuss how playing soccer in the fall can build muscle groups that support your work on the baseball field even though the muscles you utilize there are slightly different. Playing a variety of sports is not only good for the body, it’s very good for the mind, but it can also mean the more significant potential for more youth sports injuries.
As parents, we purchase all manner of pads, helmets, and guards to provide the best safety equipment possible to protect our young athletes. A pediatric chiropractor understands that one of your body’s best defenses to injury is a good ‘offense,’ one that comes in the form of regular visits to a chiropractor.
When seen regularly, a youth athlete’s development and growth can be monitored to help ensure their spinal alignment supports that pitcher’s throwing arm’s mechanics. We keep a close eye on growth spurts that can bring on Osgood-Schlatter disease, which is common for girls, especially those who gain height quickly. What can result in a season-ending issue; can often be mitigated with stretch and proper knee care.
At Knapp Chiropractic, we have a holistic approach to treatment. This means we’re always looking at all the pieces and considering all the elements before creating a treatment plan. A common issue among youth athletes is the undiagnosed and untreated issues that don’t occur on the field but are caused simply by the act of growing. Our bodies are not always in sync.
Sometimes our muscles or ligaments might be shorter or ‘tightened’ because of a recent growth spurt, which can pull on our knees, thighs, mid-back, or neck, leaving the athlete sore, but prone to injuries in those less supported areas. Seeing your chiropractor regularly means that’s we’re catching those problems in their early stages before they turn into or cause painful injuries can help keep your child playing pain-free.
One thing young athletes are prone to doing is ignoring symptoms or ‘playing through the pain.’ They have a passion for playing and a desire to please proud parents and coaches, and often injuries or discomfort due to undiagnosed injuries can go unnoticed. We know the importance of developing trust and open lines of communication with your athlete so that, hopefully, they will be open about any struggles, pain, or discomfort.
Educating young athletes about how their body is supposed to feel, the difference between being sore from a good workout, and being in pain from ongoing and untreated issues can help them heal and help prevent future injuries.
A great coach can make a difference in your players’ lives, and a great chiropractor can make a difference in their athletic careers. Come see us at our Brookfield office and we can help your athlete with comprehensive chiropractic care that supports them!
