Sports injuries can happen at any age, but in active, developing children, they are especially prevalent. Fortunately, there are many solutions available to treat sports-related injuries in youths, but the objective should always be to prevent them from happening in the first place. If you have a child who is an athlete, here are some tips to help them avoid harm.

How to Keep Your Sporty Kid Healthy

1. Encourage Warm-Ups

Dynamic warm-ups such as jumping jacks help to increase blood flow before practices and games. When combined with stretching, they can loosen the muscles to prepare them for activity. For this reason, always get your child to their sports practice or event on time to prevent missed warmups.

2. Teach Them Proper Form

Proper form is critical to injury prevention. Whether your child is running sprints or learning to pitch, make sure they’re working with experienced coaches or trainers who can teach them the best techniques. If your child has a problem that’s affecting their form, such as limited flexibility, a physical therapist specializing in sports medicine may be able to help correct it.

3. Provide the Right Equipment

The wrong equipment can also leave your child more vulnerable to injury, as it could force them to compromise their form. This includes poorly-fitted athletic wear, such as helmets or skates.

4. Emphasize Rest

Sports practices and games can become physically demanding. Make sure your child is getting ample rest, so the body can repair muscle damage. Without adequate rest days, your child could become more vulnerable to overuse injuries, such as shin splints or joint injuries.

5. Don’t Let Them Play Through Pain

Children and teens may be excited to participate in their favorite sport, and, therefore, reluctant to sit a game out if they’re experiencing any pain. Yet, both sharp, persistent pain and lingering soreness should be addressed right away. By catching it early and taking a break, you may be able to address the injury without the need for further medical intervention.

Of course, sports injuries can still happen even when children follow the preventive tactics above. If your son or daughter experiences an athletic injury, allow Family Physical Therapy & Sports Center to help. Serving Buffalo County, NE, this practice employs physical therapists who have extensive experience in working with children in a comfortable, welcoming environment. Find out more about the injuries they treat on their website or call (308) 236-5884 to schedule an appointment.