Why would a child need to go to a Chiropractor?

“Why would a child need to go to the Chiropractor?”

I get asked about why kids would need chiropractic care quite often. Which is surprising to me because have you ever….

·       Gone to a midget football game?

·       Watched a middle school hockey tournament?

·       Attended a high school wrestling match?

·       Been to a girls’ volleyball game?

·       Watched the cheerleaders perform stunts on the sidelines? 

Kids these days compete harder than ever!

Why Children DO Need Chiropractic Care?

As a chiropractor who treats many student-athletes in my practice, I have seen firsthand the numerous benefits regular chiropractic care provides.

Here are the top 5 benefits student-athletes can gain from seeking regular chiropractic care:

1. Improved Performance: Regular chiropractic adjustments can help student-athletes  perform at their best. By correcting misalignments in the spine and other joints, chiropractic care can improve range of motion, reduce pain and stiffness, and improve overall mobility – all of which can lead to better athletic performance.
2. Injury Prevention: This is one of the biggest benefits of regular chiropractic care for student-athletes. As a chiropractor I can identify and correct areas of the body at risk for injury, such as the spine, hips, and knees. By keeping these areas healthy and properly aligned, we can help student-athletes avoid common injuries like sprains, strains, and overuse injuries. Preventing injuries means that they stay “on the field” – they avoid missing out because they’re recovering from injury. They also avoid the pain of being injured and potentially having to schedule multiple healthcare visits to adequately recover.
3. Faster Recovery: And speaking of recovery, if a student-athlete does suffer an injury, regular chiropractic care can help speed up the recovery process. Chiropractors can provide adjustments and other therapies that promote healing, reduce pain and inflammation, and help athletes get back to their sport as quickly and safely as possible. The athlete suffers less and gets back to helping their teammates rack up those wins faster.
4. Improved Focus and Concentration: Student-athletes who receive regular chiropractic care often report improved focus and concentration, which can be a big advantage in sports that require quick reflexes and split-second decision-making. Focus and concentration, naturally, help student-athletes keep up with their school work and achieve good grades. They don’t have to worry about being ineligible to compete because they missed an assignment deadline, causing their grade to slip. By reducing pain and discomfort and improving overall health and wellness, chiropractic care can help student-athletes to stay focused and perform at their best.
5. Overall Health and Wellness: Finally, regular chiropractic care can help student-athletes achieve and maintain optimal health and wellness. We chiropractors also provide guidance on nutrition, exercise, and other lifestyle factors that impact athletic performance and overall health. By taking a holistic approach to care, chiropractors not only help students avoid poor health (e.g., injuries), but we also help student-athletes achieve greater vitality, so they feel their best both on and off the field.

Student-Athletes and Their Parents: Have We Convinced You?

Regular chiropractic care can provide numerous benefits for student-athletes, from improved performance and injury prevention to faster recovery and overall health and wellness.

If you are a student-athlete or the parent of a student-athlete, consider adding chiropractic care to your family’s wellness routine. It can help student-athletes achieve their athletic goals and stay healthy and injury-free. You may also want to think about sharing this article with your coach to educate him or her about the benefits of chiropractic care for student-athletes and encourage them to make it a part of your team’s wellness routine.

One last thing: The patient whose picture accompanies this post is a volleyball player named Anna. Here, she was being seen after a long weekend of middle school volleyball tournaments that involved two hours in the car, each way. The good news is that she didn’t get hurt during the tournament. It was the long ride home after a tough day that got her – she slept wrong in the car! It happens to the best of us!