As summer fades into fall, many kids are trading in their swimsuits for sports gear, eager to hit the field, court, or pitch. While team sports offer invaluable lessons in teamwork, discipline, and physical fitness, they also come with a risk of injury. As a parent, you want your young athlete to stay healthy, perform at their best, and most importantly, have fun!

Common Fall Sports Injuries

From soccer to football, volleyball to field hockey, fall sports injuries can range from minor scrapes to more serious overuse injuries. Some of the most common injuries affecting young athletes include:

• Concussions: Head injuries caused by collisions or falls.

• Shin splints: Painful inflammation of the lower leg bones and surrounding tissues.

• Knee sprains and strains: Injuries to the ligaments and muscles surrounding the knee joint.

• Shoulder injuries: Dislocations, separations, or strains affecting the shoulder joint.

• Ankle sprains: Twisted or torn ligaments in the ankle.

How Chiropractic Care Can Help

Chiropractic care is a natural, non-invasive approach to treating and preventing sports injuries. Regular adjustments can:

• Improve flexibility and range of motion: Keeping joints and muscles loose and agile.

• Enhance athletic performance: By optimizing spinal alignment and nerve function.

• Reduce injury risk: Identifying and addressing potential issues before they become major problems.

• Support recovery: Promoting healing and reducing downtime after an injury.

The Off-Season Advantage

While chiropractic care is beneficial during the sports season, it's equally valuable during the off-season. Regular adjustments can:

• Maintain flexibility and mobility: Preventing stiffness and injury when returning to play.

• Address underlying issues: Allowing your child to start the new season with a clean slate.

• Improve overall wellness: Boosting immune function and overall health.

Exercises to Support Sports Injury Prevention

In addition to regular chiropractic care, these simple exercises can help your young athlete stay healthy and flexible:

1. Calf raises: Stand on the edge of a stair or curb with heels hanging off, raise up onto toes, and lower back down. (3 sets of 10-15 reps)

2. Ankle circles: Sit on the floor with legs straight out, lift one foot off the ground, and draw circles with the ankle. (3 sets of 5-10 reps each direction)

3. Knee to chest stretch: Lie on your back, bring one knee towards your chest, and hold for 30 seconds. (3 sets each leg)

4. Shoulder rolls: Stand or sit with arms relaxed, roll shoulders forward and backward in a circular motion. (3 sets of 10-15 reps)

5. Hip flexor stretch: Kneel on all fours, bring one knee forward, and stretch the front of your hip. (3 sets of 30 seconds each leg)

Conclusion

As a parent, you want your child to succeed in sports while staying healthy and happy. By incorporating regular chiropractic care into their routine, you can help PREVENT injuries, enhance performance, and support overall wellness.

Don't wait until injury strikes – schedule a chiropractic appointment today and give your young athlete the edge they need to stay in the game, pain-free!

It’s FOOD DRIVE time!!

Pomeroy Chiropractic Wellness is proud to partner with Bread of Life food pantry to bring a special holiday gift to a deserving family this Thanksgiving.

We will have our collection box at the front desk available for cash/gift card donations, and a tub in the waiting room for you to bring your non-perishable food items. We will begin accepting donations October 1st in both offices, so you have time to prepare.

Suggestions include:

• Stuffing mix

• canned vegetables

• boxed potatoes

• canned pumpkin

• jar gravy

• canned cranberry sauce

• Grocery store gift cards

Dr. Pomeroy is out of the office THIS WEEK Thursday and Friday, October 3 and 4.

Dr. Kayla will be open in the Derby office this Friday October 4 from 9:00 - 11:30am.

Final week for vitamin sale!

20% off Formula 303, Joint Relief, and Turmeric

Swish30 is $5 off

Take advantage of these selections for supporting inflammation and muscle pain today! SALE ENDS OCTOBER 4th.

In Health,

The Staff at PCW: Dr. Shawn, Dr. Kayla, Maddy, Charlene, and Jo