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 & 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.
Avoid contact sports
Due to inherent weakness 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 yet reached full maturity, stand the chance of causing permanent injury. Repeated micro and macro traumas 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 of 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.
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. As your body heals, the symptoms of dysfunction and disease begin to diminish.
References
Schwartz, Wm.: Pediatric Primary Care. A Problem-oriented approach. 2nd edition 1987, Year Book Medical Publishers, Inc.
Haldeman, S.: Spinal Manipulative Therapy in Sports Medicine. Clinics in Sports Medicine 5 (1986): p.277
Peet-Brandon, J.: Chiropractic Prenatal and Pediatric Reference Manual. 1992. Published by The Baby Adjuster TM
Call 
