Chiropractic Care is Beneficial for Young Athletes
Competitive sports for youth are on the rise. Almost every sport seems to have a competitive stream. From football to dance and everything in between, today’s youth are pushing their bodies more than ever before. On the one hand, it’s great to see them pushing themselves hard to achieve goals, but on the other, there is a concern of overuse. With training starting at such a young age, all that strain on the body will take its toll. If you’re going to encourage your kids to pursue competitive sports in San Antonio, then it’s a good idea to consider chiropractic care .
Before starting any treatment plan it’s never a bad idea to consult with a medical professional. Chances are your doctor will agree that preventative measures are key to keeping your child healthy and strong. Here are some tips to help keep your young athlete injury free.
Proper Equipment
Whether your athlete is a hockey player or a gymnast, it’s important to be equipped with the right gear. Contact sports usually require helmets and pads while dancers require proper attire and footwear. Each sport has specific requirements to keep the athlete safe. For dancer’s proper footwear is crucial to prevent injuries, while wearing helmets in contact sports can help prevent concussions.
Proper Nutrition
Healthy eating is vital for all growing kids and teens, but it’s even more important for young athletes. They should be eating to keep up energy levels and to prevent injury. For example, a combination of protein and complex carbohydrates are important to fuel your workouts, while foods such as pineapples, blueberries, nuts are said to help reduce inflammation. Your chiropractor can help steer you in the right direction and make recommendations that are right for you.
Warming-up
Whether you’re young, old or any age in between it is always essential to warm up your muscles before doing physical activity. This is one of the best ways to prevent injury. The goal is to warm up the muscles before doing strenuous activity. This helps ease the muscles into the main activity. Failing to do so could cause a shock to the body and cause injury.
Proper Sleep
Muscles get fatigued when they are used. And it’s during sleep that they heal and repair themselves. The recommended amount of sleep for someone is about 8 hours. For youth, this should be considered the minimum. Growing and developing bodies require more, especially if they’re also adding strain to them. Aim for a minimum of 8, with up to 10 hours being ideal. It’s not always possible, but the more rested your body is, the better it will perform.
How Chiropractic Care Can Help
If you’re already doing all the above, then it’s safe to say that your young athlete is already on the right track. Unfortunately, no matter how hard we try, injuries and sore muscles aren’t always avoidable. The good news though is that a chiropractor can help with intense training regimens. Chiropractors are trained to treat the musculoskeletal system and can target specific areas for treatment. As licensed professionals, they can give you advice on how to properly train for your sport of choice. From hip pain to back pain and any other ailment that plagues you, chiropractic care can make the world of difference.
Doing what you love while being pain-free can make the difference between good and great. Be sure to implement all the above tips and start chiropractic care treatments to be the best athlete you can be.