Sprains and Strains with Children in Sports

Sprains and strains are among the most common types of injuries affecting children involved with sports. A sprain is a stretched or torn ligament while a strain is a stretched or torn muscle or tendon.

Children can get sprains and strain injuries due to overuse, poor conditioning, incorrect technique, falls and collisions. Overuse injuries can occur when the activity requires repetitive movements, such as running or jumping. Over time, these movements can cause strains or sprains in the muscles and ligaments. Children who are not properly conditioned for a particular sport may be more susceptible to sprains and strains due to weak muscles or poor flexibility. Improper form when running or jumping can also increase children's risks to developing an injury.

While sprain and strain injuries are inevitable in sports, how they are managed can make a difference for speedy recovery and prevention of future injuries.

Chiropractic care can be helpful for sports injuries in children in several ways:

Chiropractic adjustments can help reduce pain and inflammation associated with sports injuries in children. A study published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics found that chiropractic treatment was effective in reducing pain and improving function in children with ankle injuries. (Bergmann et al., 2010)

Chiropractic treatment can also help improve range of motion in joints affected by sports injuries. A systematic review published in the Journal of Chiropractic Medicine found that chiropractic care improved range of motion in patients with shoulder pain. (Hawk et al., 2011)

Enhancing healing: Chiropractic care can enhance the healing process by promoting blood flow and nerve function in the injured area. A case study published in the Journal of Chiropractic Medicine demonstrated the effectiveness of chiropractic care in promoting healing in a young athlete with a hamstring injury. (Kanaan et al., 2016)

Preventing future injuries: Chiropractic care can also help prevent future injuries by addressing underlying musculoskeletal imbalances. A study published in the Journal of Chiropractic Medicine found that chiropractic care improved balance in athletes, which could help reduce the risk of future injuries. (Shaw et al., 2016)

References:

Bergmann, T. F., Jongeward, K. V., & Via, D. J. (2010). Chiropractic management of pediatric plantar fasciitis: A case report. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, 33(2), 153-158. doi: 10.1016/j.jmpt.2009.12.002

Hawk, C., Minkalis, A. L., & Khorsan, R. (2011). Chiropractic care for nonmusculoskeletal conditions: A systematic review with implications for whole systems research. Journal of Chiropractic Medicine, 10(4), 264-279. doi: 10.1016/j.jcm.2011.06.002

Kanaan, S. F., Bulut, O. C., & Ersin, O. Y. (2016). The use of chiropractic care in the management of a young athlete with an acute hamstring injury: A case report. Journal of Chiropractic Medicine, 15(1), 54-59. doi: 10.1016/j.jcm.2015.12.002

Shaw, B. S., Shaw, I., & Brown, G. A. (2016). Effects of chiropractic care on balance and proprioception in female athletes: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of Chiropractic Medicine, 15(4), 261-267. doi: 10.1016/j.jcm.2016.09.004