Has your child recently suffered a concussion from a sports accident? Are you looking for ways to prevent it from happening again? Concussions may be a common sports injury, but they can cause side effects that may inhibit your child’s performance in school, social settings, and daily tasks.
A concussion is a type of mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) that is a result of a direct blow or indirect force transmitted to the head by some sort of impact. Concussions in youth sports are often seen in hockey, soccer, and basketball, although the most common sports-related injuries occur in football.
Fortunately, osteopathic therapy at Jenna Howe & Associates Osteopathy and Concussion Recovery is an effective way to help your child rehabilitate after a concussion and safely return to sports. Our osteopathic therapists are trained to treat concussions and restore functions in patients of all ages.
Call us today to schedule your first appointment!
Signs of Concussion in Children
If your child is participating in sports, it is important to understand the signs of a concussion so you can take the necessary steps to address them. Watch out for these symptoms:
- Headache
- Nausea
- Fatigue
- Trouble balancing
- Dizziness or vertigo
- Blurred vision
- Sensitivity to light or noise
- A sluggish, hazy, or groggy feeling
- Cognitive symptoms, like trouble concentrating or memory issues
- Mood changes
Preventing Concussions in Youth Sports
Concussions in youth sports vary significantly depending on the injury, intensity, child’s age, and other health factors. While many can be treated without major medical intervention, these injuries can have long-lasting effects on kids, including increased risk of anxiety, depression, and memory issues.
The good news is that there are plenty of ways that parents and coaches can help prevent concussions in youth sports. Here are some of our favorite tips:
Enforce Helmet Rules
- Wearing a helmet may seem like an obvious safety precaution. However, many young athletes neglect protective gear that they may find uncomfortable and inconvenient. Make sure your young athletes always wear helmets and other protective equipment.
Ensure Equipment Fits Properly
- Protective gear shouldn’t be too loose or too tight. Before sending a child into practice, training, or a game, double-check that their equipment fits properly and is securely fastened. Replace equipment when it is dull, old, or damaged.
Follow Sports Safety Rules
- Understanding sports safety and exercising caution are key factors in concussion prevention. Coaches must continuously educate athletes on regulations and safety techniques. For example, football rules have changed to prohibit young players from executing head-to-head contact, which helps prevent players from developing a concussion.
Don’t Skip Sports Conditioning
- It’s important that young athletes–especially those participating in contact sports–participate in cross-training and conditioning programs to reduce their risk of falls and other injuries that can lead to a concussion.
How Does Osteopathic Therapy Help?
Of course, sometimes concussions do happen–and that’s when our team of osteopathic therapists can help your child recover safely and efficiently! We’ll work with you, your child, and other members of your child’s healthcare team to create a treatment plan based on your child’s injury, symptoms, age, and any other important health factors.
Treatment usually begins with a comprehensive assessment, in which one of our osteopathic therapists will collect details about your child’s medical history, involvement in sports, and other information pertaining to the injury. As treatment progresses, we’ll help prepare your child for their return to athletics.
Here are some of the techniques we might incorporate into a concussion rehabilitation program:
- Osteopathic manual therapy
- Light aerobic exercise that will not trigger symptoms
- Balance training
- Personalized information about injury prevention and safely returning to normal activities, including sports
Schedule an Appointment Today.
Whether your child has suffered a recent concussion or you’re looking for more ways to prevent injuries from occurring, our experienced practitioners can provide you with solutions.
There’s no better time to start recovery than now! Call us today to schedule an appointment.
