An article written by Amber Arevalos. As parents, coaches, and teachers, we want our children to thrive and succeed at anything they choose to pursue. Sports is often one area in which children become competitive. The level of competition has reached a new high. The intensity level may increase the risk of injury.
Back injury prevention is among the most sought out resources of many motions, let us help you get your year off to a good and healthy start. May you be Blessed with Peace and all good things!
As parents, coaches, and teachers, we want our children to thrive and succeed at anything they choose to pursue. Sports is often one area in which children become competitive. The level of competition has reached a new high. The intensity level may increase the risk of injury.
Back injury prevention is among the most sought out resources of many young athletes. Back pain happens at many stages of life. As stated by the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, compared to an adult, a child with a backache is more likely to have a serious underlying disorder.
Below are tips and ways to help prevent and aid in the prevention of sports-related back injury
Start Slow
With any new activity your child starts, it is important to start slow and have them take their time learning the skills necessary to play the game. The time they take to train smart will pay off later and may prevent injury. Seattle’s Children’s Hospital recommends children should build up the length and intensity of exercise slowly to help prevent injuries from increasing.
Train Right
Depending on your child’s age and level of play, they will need extra training and sport-specific training. If your child is of age, they may need strength and agility training which are essential to increasing skill and muscle tone. Agility drills assist the body in learning how to move with change of direction to be more fluent and protect muscles and joints.
Flexibility
Flexibility is very important when playing any sport. Have a regular stretching routine and perform stretches before a game. Staying limber can protect your joints and muscles. Seattle’s Children’s Hospital suggests that light stretching and jogging before practices and games helps warm the muscles to make them more flexible and prepared for activity.
Fueling
Fueling your young athlete properly also helps to prevent back injuries. Kidshealth.org found that young athletes that do not consume enough food or the right foods, their bodies are less likely to achieve peak performance and may even break down muscles rather than build them. These are some of the tips to follow to ensure your child’s safety from a sports back injury. No matter what sport your child chooses to make sure to speak to your child about the safety and
rules of the sport they have chosen.
HOW A PHYSICAL THERAPIST CAN HELP WITH BACK PAIN
An article written by Juliane Morris. Whether a person’s back pain is a dull ache, intermittent discomfort, or an odd sharp pain now and then, a physician can help determine the cause and whether or not physical therapy may be indicated.
What is a physical therapist’s role? “Physical therapists help injured or ill people improve movement and manage pain. They are often an
important part of preventive care, rehabilitation and treatment for patients with chronic conditions, illnesses, or injuries. Physical therapists
provide care for people who have functional problems resulting from back and neck injuries; sprains, strains and fractures.” They use techniques in patient care that include special exercises, particular movements of joints, muscles and other soft tissue to improve mobility and decrease pain, functional movement training and practice.
HERE ARE THREE TOP WAYS A PHYSICAL THERAPIST CAN HELP WITH BACK PAIN:
Stabilization
The purpose of stabilization exercises will be to retrain deep muscles of the back. Over time, surrounding muscles become tight, and
deeper muscles weaken. Ever have trouble getting up from a chair or rolling over in bed? A physical therapist can teach how to use proper
abdominal and spinal muscles while going through a range of motions that help stabilize and strengthen the spine.
Repeating Motion
Sometimes a back problem is caused by pressure or irritation on a nerve from a bulging disk or spinal stenosis and impinged nerves, where pain, tingling, weakness or numbness occur, even into limbs at times. In this case, a program of repeated movement can address and improve back pain. A physical therapist can determine if a regimen of repeated motion is working if the pain is minimized with a special type of repeated motion.
Mobilization
A physical therapist may try mobilization in the spine for patients who are experiencing stiffness in the spine. Soft tissue mobilization is a productive hands-on technique with muscles, ligaments and fascia in order to break adhesions and optimize muscle function.