Whether your middle schooler or high school student plays soccer or football, does cheerleading or gymnastics or participates in another sport, you want them to perform at their best and minimize injuries.
That’s where chiropractic care comes into play. By focusing on flexibility, strength, and balance, chiropractic adjustments can be crucial in optimizing performance and reducing the risk of injury.
The Importance of Alignment, Movement, and Strength
Chiropractors don’t just treat injuries; they help prevent them. “Chiropractors assess the alignment, evaluate how things are moving or not moving, and then assess the appropriate strength to ensure there are no compensation patterns. If the athlete has all three of those components, they’re less likely to tweak things because their body is running as efficiently as possible,” said Dr. Andrew.
Lifestyle Chiropractic & Wellness offers functional movement screenings to detect alignment, movement, and strength deficiencies before they become problems. By addressing these issues early, young athletes can maintain optimal performance and reduce the risk of non-contact injuries, which are the most common in sports.
Preventing Injuries Before They Happen
Getting a baseline assessment before the sports season starts is a proactive way to avoid injuries. “It’s always good to see where an athlete is, and then you can completely avoid injury if you notice that something’s a little bit tighter than it should be or something’s a little bit weaker,” shared Dr. Andrew. Chiropractic care can create balance and ensure that your child’s body is well-prepared for the demands of their sport.
Supporting Recovery and Longevity
In today’s ultra-competitive sports environment, many young athletes specialize early and play year-round, putting increased wear and tear on their bodies. Chiropractic care helps manage this by realigning the body and addressing overuse issues before they develop into chronic injuries. This is particularly important in sports with long seasons or repetitive motions, like baseball and dance, where shoulder, hip, and back problems are common.
Maintaining Peak Performance
One of the best ways for young athletes to stay at the top of their game is through consistent chiropractic care. Depending on their goals, regular chiropractic visits—sometimes as often as once a week—can keep them in peak condition. “Elite athletes tend to get treated at least once a week just to make sure that everything’s moving as it should,” said Dr. Andrew.