Children involved in contact sports are often subject to injury – but how serious is it to their future health? Children differ from adults in several ways. They lack complete bone ossification (growth and fusion) until maturity, which predisposes them to potential head and spinal injury. Children also lack development of major muscles and cartilage. This leads to instability of bony segments of the body, especially in the neck. These two conditions in conjunction with their general lack of physical coordination allows children to place themselves in potentially harmful positions. Because of its central location, the spinal column is commonly an unnoticed victim of blows to the head, ribs, legs, shoulders and torso. As your child participates in sports….twists, jumps, falls, and knocks into other children, can cause spinal misalignments. These small imbalances can impede normal body function if they cause any nerve interference.

Avoid contact sports.

Due to inherent weaknesses in the female lower back and pelvis, girls are especially vulnerable during contact sports, putting them at great risk for scoliosis. Even high school boys, who have not reached full maturity, stand the chance of causing permanent injury. Repeated micro and macrotraumas from full contact sports adversely affect growth centers located in various bones within the growing muscular and skeletal systems. Any vertebral subluxations caused by playing contact sports can interfere with normal growth and repair resulting in sickness and disease. Therefore, it is of paramount importance that children participating in any sport be checked for vertebral subluxations often.

What is a subluxation?

A subluxation is a neurological disturbance caused by a nerve that is not functioning properly. The body depends upon the free flow of nerve communication—from the brain, through the spinal column, and to all parts of the human body—in order to govern itself and all its functions. Chiropractic science has determined that the interruption, blockage, or aberration of this flow of information can lead to serious health complications. Conversely, the removal of such interferences has been shown to have important health benefits. All body functions are controlled by messages from the brain sent through the nerves. When the nerves become stretched, twisted, or "pinched," this vital communication system of the body is disrupted. As a result, one or more functions of the body may begin to fail. As the body weakens, health declines and if uncorrected, the body will ultimately give in to sickness. While traditional medicine would resort to treating the symptoms of such disease, chiropractors correct the cause of the disease—in this case, subluxations—so that normal body function may resume.

What is a chiropractic adjustment?

Chiropractic adjustments gradually realign the vertebrae, reducing the pressure that abnormal posture applies to nerves, muscles, ligaments and tendons. As Doctors of Chiropractic, we lay our hands on your back and gently line up the vertebrae into their natural position. This process may take weeks or months depending on the amount of misalignment. As the subluxations are reduced, however, the nerve supply communicates more effectively throughout the body and healing may take place.

Children do need exercise.

In general, children should not be restricted from moderate daily exercise. Swimming, track and field, wrestling, soccer, bicycling and cheerleading are all examples of sports that should be encouraged. Even youngsters with special physical handicaps should participate in sports to achieve improved physical fitness. This not only helps to develop a strong body, but encourages healthy relationships with peers, both as team mates and competitors, enriching their overall childhood experience.

Famous Athletes.

Many people have watched as members of the 49ers football team received chiropractic care during a game. Even in the 1984 Olympic games, after Greg Louganis hit his head on a diving platform, many people watched as he returned from his injury to win a gold medal. Most people witnessed only his surprisingly swift return to competition. What they did not see was the chiropractic adjustment he received immediately following the accident. Professional golfers (Tiger Woods, etc.), world class runners, and weight lifters all enjoy the health benefits of chiropractic care, and so should your "little stars." Living free from the detrimental health effects of vertebral subluxations should be an integral part of any child’s sports program.