Child Injury Prevention with Physical Therapy
Injuries are a part of life as children grow, but appropriate preparation can help minimize those injuries and their severity. The adage “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” is just as applicable today as it was when the saying was first coined. A screening and an evaluation by a skilled physical therapist can identify potential problems before they can result in an injury. A physical therapy screening will discover any underlying deficits in strength, agility, or movement that might prevent a child from fully participating in many activities. If a problem is discovered, the physical therapist can provide treatments to remedy and manage the problem in ways that still enables a child to be active. Training With Professionals
Physical therapy can help children avoid injuries in the following ways:
Some activities and sports are extremely dangerous and pose a high-risk of injury, prompting experts to recommend that parents not allow their children to participate in them. They can cause more than pulled muscles and broken bones. They can result in neck and back injuries, along with concussions that can have long-lasting effects. Those activities include football, boxing, driving and riding on motorized “toys,” and using trampolines. Overuse and overtraining injuries are common in children and adolescents whose bones are still growing and developing. Children need at least two days off every week from practicing sports and two to three months away from the sport each year. It’s essential to maintain proper hydration to avoid fatigue and muscle cramps. Physical Therapy for a Lifetime of Activity
Children can develop behaviors such as putting too much weight on the sides of their feet that can be corrected with physical therapy. Your physical therapist can provide a wide variety of exercises to build control and core strength that lessens the potential of a risk from fast stops, starts and turns. A physical conditioning program developed by your physical therapist will factor in your child’s age, ability, strengths and weaknesses, any prior injuries, and fitness level. An exercise program will be individualized to improve endurance, balance, and coordination that will also help in his/her other activities in everyday life. Your child will learn warm-up and stretching exercises to limber up before any activity. Your physical therapist can provide nutritional recommendations for health and even clothing and material options that will keep your youngster cool and keep them from overheating. They key to reducing the risk of injuries is to ensure your child has no physical problems that will hinder their development, anticipating difficulties, and expert instruction and treatment by a physical therapist specializing in pediatrics. Your physical therapist can help establish a culture of safety for your child that will allow them to enjoy a lifetime of physical activities and an active lifestyle. |