Let's Minimize the Risk of Concussions

By Donna Kostiew

There are so many times when I find it difficult to describe the insidious injury that has impacted my daughter’s life now for the past couple of years. And although concussions are being talked about more and more these days, there are still a lot of parents who don’t realize the potential for injury and how devastating the symptoms can be in a child’s life. My daughter has really bad days, bad days, and better days, but not once since her first injury over two years ago has she had a good day. She has a team of doctors, which includes a chiropractor, and I am thankful for that because her chiropractor is who she sees the most and who has brought a lot of relief to her.

Being active or being involved with sports is a good thing, and of course we want our children to receive all the benefits of doing so. But just because children are good at “bouncing back” after an injury does not mean that they are immune to concussions. Fortunately, as adults, we have the knowledge and the tools to help our children become proactive to injuries and to become advocates for their health … even at a young age.

I get it though, teaching and raising our children can be exasperating at times … but I encourage you to really take in the following suggestions on how to be mindful of the activities your child is involved with and the potential health dangers that come with it.

• Be proactive – Take your child to a chiropractor regularly. Chiropractic care will help keep your child’s body properly aligned, and will not only improve their athleticism but will also prevent future injuries. It is also beneficial to have a concussion baseline test performed by a professional trained in that specialty.
• Teach the symptoms – It is important to teach your child the symptoms of a concussion so that they can identify with clarity when something doesn’t feel right to them. They should also feel confident enough to approach a coach with their concerns. It can be extremely beneficial if the entire team knows these symptoms as well because it will increase the likelihood of an injury being addressed and treated quickly.
• Set expectations for safe play – Seek out clinics that teach fair play and contact technique (without making the head/helmet a point of contact) and always wear protective gear. Also, educate your child on the difference between playing aggressively and playing with a lack of regard for someone’s well-being, simply for that one moment in the game. The injuries don’t end when the game is over, and they certainly aren’t left on the field either.

Keeping your child’s body in a healthy state and taking precautions will definitely have a positive impact on how they play and if they get injured.

To learn more about your health and wellness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractor in Eagan, Minn.