About 3.5 million children receive some type of sports injury each year.
If you are a parent of an injured teen from playing sports, then here are some ideas to help them get back in the game.
Eat Right
Eating the right foods during a sports injury may help it heal faster. Consider foods such as raw nuts and seeds, whole grains, fish and green leafy vegetables because they are high in Vitamin C, Vitamin D and magnesium helping to restore bone and tissue health.
If there’s inflammation present, then consider foods containing omega-3, which may help to calm inflamed areas in the body. Watch the calorie count, however, so your teen athlete doesn’t pack on extra pounds with reduced exercise. Adding on extra weight could slow or hinder the recovery process.
Seek Counseling
Many teens struggle with identity issues when they feel they’re no longer part of the team. Some coaches are willing to create roles the injured player can still do like being a sports manager.
Other teens may need to get professional counseling. Watch for signs your teen is getting depressed but realize feelings of sadness are a natural part of this type of injury.
This is especially true if your teen feels like their talent in whatever sport they played was the key to their future. Perhaps they saw it as their ticket to a good college and, possibly, a future career.
If so, they may feel lost and without direction and counseling could definitely help them to reestablish their purpose.
Use Mental Imagery
Mental imagery can be used in several ways to help the injured athlete. Picturing the body part well again has been shown to speed up the healing process.
Relaxation imagery can be used to help the teen feel less pain. If your teen needs help, then a sports psychologist can help write individual scripts for the teen to follow.
Teens who will be returning to sports often find picturing perfect plays and movements helps them get back into the flow of the sport faster.
Get Physical Therapy
Many teens who are injured playing sports can benefit from receiving physical therapy, like that provided by Town Center Orthopaedic Associates, P.C. The therapist will work with the teen to make sure that other body parts stay strong.
They will also help to make sure your athlete regains strength in the injured body part as quickly as possible. They may also recommend splints, braces and other devices that can help support the injured body part.
Going to therapy also helps the athlete feel like they are working towards being able to play sports again. There are many things the parent of a teen with a sports injury can do to help.
Use these ideas with your injured teen and get them back in the game.
Sports are a great way for your child to exercise, learn about teamwork, sportsmanship and the importance of regular practice and dedication. However, it’s important to know how to keep your kids safe and protected while they’re playing.
Injuries can range from minor strains and sprains to traumatic brain injury. Learn five critical sports safety tips to keep your children safe when playing sports.
