Pediatric Sports Injuries

Is your child an athlete? It is estimated that there are approximately 60 million youths, aged 6-18, who participate in organized sports. Of those 60 million, approximately 45.9%-54% will sustain some form of sports injury. If your child is feeling pain due to a sport, Appalachian Physical Therapy can help provide relief and a speedy recovery – so your child can get back to doing the sport he or she loves!

Sports injuries can typically be placed into two categories: acute or overuse. Acute injuries are caused by a single specific incident, such as a sprain, strain, fracture, or tear. Overuse injuries are caused by excessive repetitive movements over time. Some examples of overuse injuries include frozen shoulder, flexor tendinitis, shin splints, tennis elbow, and golfer’s/Little Leaguer’s elbow.

At Appalachian Physical Therapy, our treatments for pediatric sports injuries are conservative and non-invasive, aimed at relieving pain and promoting healing. Our highly trained Harrisonburg, Broadway, and Pinehurst physical therapists incorporate specialized methods into their treatment plans as needed, such as manual therapy, ice and heat therapies, or ultrasound. They also provide patients with light stretching and exercise plans, in order to improve their range of motion and overall function in the affected area.

It is important to note that pediatric treatments are not the same as adult treatments. Children have different biomechanics than adults because they are still growing – both physically and mentally. Each pediatric sports injury treatment plan is unique, taking into account the child’s age, level of physical activity, and their continuing physical and mental development.

The overall goal of physical therapy is healing and prevention. In addition to treating the injury, our physical therapists will help strengthen the affected area, in order to prevent additional injuries from occurring. Our physical therapists will also provide your child with helpful warm-up and cool-down techniques for his or her sport, in order to lower their risk of sustaining another injury.

If your child has sustained a sports injury, schedule a screening with Appalachian Physical Therapy today. We’ll help diagnose the issue and get your child started on the path toward recovery and returning to sport! For more information, Contact Us Today at Pinehurst, NC & Harrisonburg & Broadway, VA Centers.

For information on a Musculoskeletal Sports Physical, click here for our brochure.