Spinal Injuries of Adolescents in Sports
By Debra Rodzinak
My nephew enjoyed participating in sports when he was in school. My nephew excelled in every sport he tried, but when he was injured while wrestling, he had to stop and get help for his back pain. We took him to the chiropractor for help.
Examining the spine of young adults can be difficult due to the differences in the spines of adolescents and adults. According to Contemporary Pediatric and Adolescent Sports Medicine in 2016, the ligaments and muscles that stabilize the spine are susceptible to sports-related injuries. Cervical strain, sprain, or whiplash can injure the back and neck of these young athletes.
The pain my nephew experienced and relayed to the chiropractor helped her to identify the reason for his back pain and, in turn, formulate a plan of action for his treatment. Any vertebral misalignment can result in pain in different parts of the body. Vertebral Subluxation Complex (VSC) is the technical term for this misalignment.
What Problem Does Vertebral Subluxation Complex (VSC) Cause?
When the vertebrae become misaligned, they can put pressure on the surrounding nerves, blood vessels, or muscles. This pressure can lead to a whole host of problems, like the intense back pain my nephew experienced.
However, numbness, damage to tissue, or even abnormal growth can occur if the VSC is not treated. The longer that treatment is put off, the worse the symptoms can become. Even worse, if not treated, the spine and surrounding areas affected can begin to degenerate.
How is VSC Treated in Adolescents?
Chiropractors are experienced in the differences of the adolescent spine. Using gentle adjustments to the spine, they reposition the vertebrae back to their natural position. Again, if the patient’s VSC has gone untreated for a long period of time, it will take longer for the vertebrae to return to their natural position. Luckily, my nephew did not wait for treatment, and after a few visits to the chiropractor, he was able to return to sports fairly quickly.
The chiropractors at The Joint are able to treat patients with VSC without the use of drugs. By using gentle adjustments, they manipulate the spinal vertebrae back to their original position. With no appointment times or pesky insurance forms to fill out, even the busiest parent can bring their young athlete to The Joint for an all natural adjustment. The experts at The Joint are ready to work with you and your child to create a plan that works for you both! Come by today for an evaluation.
