When you have young athletes in the family, you may wonder what you can do to keep them safe, healthy, and comfortable on the field. While team practice and regular conditioning can help them stay in shape, treatments like massage therapy will boost their performance and prevent injuries. To help you understand how your little one can benefit from this service, here’s how professional massages can improve their life on and off the field. 

What Are the Risks Associated With Sports?

Nearly a third of childhood injuries are related to sports, resulting in issues like pulled muscles, overuse injuries, and trauma to the joints and tendons. Kids can get hurt doing many activities, especially sports that involve contact, such as football, soccer, and basketball. Gymnastics and dance can also be hard on the body, since young athletes may find themselves practicing the same types of routines repeatedly, which can cause injuries such as tennis elbow. If left untreated, these cause ongoing discomfort and can even impact the way a child grows.

How Does Massage Therapy Help?

Massage therapists are trained to help people of all ages and will address your child’s specific needs. During sessions, specialists will alleviate muscle and joint pain by applying gentle pressure in areas that receive constant strain. This has been shown to increase blood flow, reduce swelling, and improve flexibility, which can help them prevent injuries. It can also boost their range of motion, which can help them perform better in their sport.

Whether your little one has been complaining of ongoing pain or you want to help them prevent sports injuries, the team at The Healing Center in Anchorage, AK, can help. Since 1987, they have been committed to providing comprehensive care to patients with treatments that include massage therapy, chiropractic adjustments, and muscle relaxation. Dr. Kevin Leach and his team can help every member of the family stay in top physical shape. See what they offer on their website, or call (907) 561-7041 to schedule an appointment.