Like adult athletes, young sports players, too, can be victims of athletic-related injuries. Even when wearing proper gear and being cautious on the field, physical trauma may still strike.
Some injuries occur suddenly, while others gradually build over time. Other times, one might not have an injury established just yet but may experience frequent pain or stiffness, which can be signs of an impending injury (and a warning from the body to slow down and rest).
One of the best ways to manage pain and injuries as a youth sports player is to look into recovery services from Recovery Lab. Some of our most popular non-invasive options for adolescents include the following.
Percussion Therapy
Muscle tightness and knots, even minor ones, can be very limiting for those who engage in sports or other physical activities. Apart from the pain, these issues can lead to a limited range of motion, which no athlete wants.
Percussion therapy utilizes a special device which vibrates and “punches” to break up tight or knotted muscle tissue. This can help provide significant pain relief while also improving one’s range of motion.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy involves lying down in an enclosed chamber, which delivers high concentrations of pure oxygen. Oxygen is a crucial component of tissue repair and general healing, which is why it’s often recommended for athletes.
This wellness service can encourage better circulation, faster injury recovery, less post-workout soreness, reduced inflammation, and even improved immune system function.
Cryotherapy
Muscle stiffness and/or pain can arise from a variety of sports and school activities: weight-lifting, basketball, gymnastics, dance, volleyball, wrestling, cheerleading, you name it. From lifting wrong to overtraining or even a lack of hydration before/after a workout, muscle issues have no single cause in athletes.
Cryotherapy, which delivers extremely cold air for brief moments to the user, can provide muscle relief. It has the potential to relax an overactive nervous system, temporarily numb pain, ease swelling and inflammation, and encourage fresh blood flow.
Guided Stretching
Even if your young athlete engages in warm-up and cool-down stretches before and after working out or playing sports, guided mobility stretching is different. During a session, a professional physically manipulates the client’s limbs and muscle groups to improve muscle and joint range of motion and flexibility.
Engaging in guided stretching can result in smoother joint movements, reduced muscle tension, and better posture and alignment. Ultimately, regular mobility stretching sessions have the potential to help prevent injuries and encourage smoother recovery between workouts and sports games.
Cupping Therapy
Pain or stiffness primarily affecting the back can be aided with the help of cupping therapy. Cups are suctioned directly onto the back, which lift the tissue to induce proper blood flow and encourage the drainage of fluid buildup. In turn, this can lead to less pain and tension in the back, which can, in turn, aid with mobility.
Are you interested in signing your athlete son or daughter up for one of our wellness services? Get in touch with Recovery Lab today to get a session booked.
