Kansas City Kids Sports: Too Much of a Good Thing?

August 10, 2015

Chiropractic for Children, Kansas City Chiropractor, Sports Injury Treatment

When the school supplies section of your local store takes up half of the back wall, Kansas City parents begin gearing up for the start of school and a new sports season.

Kim’s 11 year old daughter, Jenn, has been a starting player for her Kansas City soccer team since she was 7 years old. She’s had so many trips to the emergency room over the past few years that walking into the ER was like walking into a restaurant where they already know your order.

Last week, when Jenn got a deep cut on her shin during practice. She still played 4 soccer games that next weekend and fought back her tears during every game so that she could “be there for her team.”

Last year 3.5 million kids under the age of 14 sought treatment from a sports medicine doctor for sports-related injuries.

Do we have too much of a good thing?

Sports Medicine Doctor Kansas City

Sports Medicine doctors are concerned with the growing number of student athletes being treated for sports injuries.

As young athletes begin to focus on playing a single sport year-round, overuse injuries are becoming more and more common.

“Many of Kansas City’s young athletes are specializing in one sport at a very young age,” explained Dr. Jeff Spoonemore, Kansas City Sports Chiropractor at Fulk Chiropractic. “When this happens, their bodies aren’t getting the rest that they need.”

Overuse Injuries

Almost half of Kansas City sports injuries in kids are from overuse (using one area of the body too much.)

And it’s not just a problem for Kansas City kids. In a recent study, 75% of baseball athletes in the United States between the ages of 8-18 complained of arm pain from throwing the ball too much. And, even more alarming: Almost half of them were encouraged to continue to play through the pain.

How to Avoid Sports Injuries

Studies show that young athletes who play several different sports have less injuries and enjoy the ability to play sports later in life than kids who specialize in one sport before puberty.

Take a Break – If you think your child may have an injury, take a break. Putting extra strain on an injured tendon, muscle or joint can actually make the injury worse. Remember RICE: rest, ice compression and elevation.
Try Another Sport – Its best to encourage your child to try multiple sports at a young age and not to specialize in one sport until they reach puberty.
Warm Up and Cool Down/Stretch – Take the time to gradually warm up before exercise or practice. When muscles are warm you’re less likely to injure them. Stretch after practice, not before. This increases your flexibility and mobility. Never use a static stretch before you warm up. This can actually cause muscle strain.
Visit Your Sports Medicine Doctor – Every Kansas City student athlete is required to have a sports physical. This gives both parents and coaches the information they need to evaluate an athlete’s physical readiness to participate. Take this opportunity to discuss any questions or concerns you have with your sports medicine doctor so that you can have the most successful season possible.

The Most Common Injuries – a Common Theme

From Kansas City baseball injuries to soccer injuries, the most-common sports injuries have a common theme. The body is pushed beyond its normal limits.

Sprains, fractures, dislocations, swollen muscles and strained tendons usually occur when the body is pushed too hard. This can happen when you increase your training schedule too quickly, don’t allow proper time for your body to rest between workouts, or if your body isn’t working at it’s optimal level.

Kansas City Sports Chiropractic Care

More and more Kansas City area athletes are seeking chiropractic treatment prior to and during their sports’ season. Athletes who seek out chiropractic treatment experience increased performance, faster reaction time and quicker recovery.

Fulk Chiropractic’s 12 sports medicine doctors specialize in treating all types of sports injuries.

Open 7 Days a Week, they offer treatment before and after Kansas City weekend games at no extra cost. They provide physiotherapy and X-rays to student athletes at a fraction of the cost of a visit to the emergency room.

If you think your child may need a checkup, or if you’re concerned with treating or preventing an overuse injury, schedule an appointment online to have one of our sports chiropractors evaluate your child’s physical condition.