Stress Fractures: Bone Stress Injuries for the Teenage Athlete: Revesby, Canterbury/Bankstown and Sydney
If you're the parent of a teenage athlete, you know just how dedicated they are to their sport. Whether they’re training for a big match, competing in gymnastics, or simply love running, these young athletes are constantly pushing their bodies. While this dedication is admirable, it also means they're at risk of overuse injuries like stress fractures. These small cracks in the bone can occur in the legs and feet, and surprisingly, they can also be linked to issues in the spine.
In this post, we’ll explore how spinal health and segmental dysfunction can contribute to stress fractures and how chiropractic care can help keep your young athletes healthy and strong.
Bone Stress Disorders: What is it and how can Chiropractic Care help?
A stress fracture is a small crack in the bone that arises from repetitive stress or strain. This can be likened to bending a paper clip repetitively until it eventually breaks. Bones, particularly those in teenagers whose skeletal structures are still developing, are particularly susceptible to such injuries. Stress fractures are frequently seen in high-impact sports, including running, basketball, and gymnastics.
While we often associate stress fractures with limbs, the lower back is also at high risk, particularly in individuals who may have underlying spinal issues. Initially, these fractures may present as mild low back pain, which can be easily overlooked. It is not uncommon for patients to receive treatment for low back pain, only to return later with a diagnosed stress fracture. This sometimes occurs because the underlying predisposition to injury was not addressed.
Identifying weaknesses and correcting imbalances early is crucial to prevent these injuries from recurring and becoming chronic issues. Regular assessments and proactive care strategies can help maintain spinal health and body alignment, minimizing the risk of stress fractures and other related injuries.
The Spinal dysfunction and an increase in Stress response
Our spine acts as the central support for the body, distributing forces evenly as we move. However, when there is a segmental dysfunction—meaning specific vertebrae aren’t moving or functioning as they should—it can cause imbalances in how the body handles stress.
For teenage athletes in Revesby and Bankstown, this can mean their legs or lower back take on more pressure than they’re designed to handle, increasing the risk of injuries like stress fractures. Poor spinal alignment can cause these areas to work harder, leading to strain and eventually injury.
How Chiropractic care can help your stress fracture
By focusing on the health and alignment of the spine, chiropractors can help the body move more efficiently, reducing the risk of stress fractures and other injuries. Here’s how chiropractic care can benefit young athletes:
Spinal Adjustments: Gentle adjustments can realign the vertebrae, reducing tension in the muscles and ligaments. This can improve your child’s overall biomechanics and help prevent injuries. We do not adjust (crack) the actual stress fracture. This would increase the instability. We work around it, to allow pressure off the actual injury to help increase recovery time.
Movement Assessments: By evaluating your teenager’s movement patterns, we can spot imbalances or improper techniques that could lead to injury. We then work on correcting these issues with targeted exercises and adjustments.
Personalised Care Plans: Every athlete is unique, and so are their needs. We create customised care plans that may include spinal adjustments, strengthening exercises, and advice on technique and posture to help your child stay injury-free and perform at their best.
Collaborating with Other Clinicians
Most disorders of the human body are multifaceted, and bone stress injuries are no different, which is why we frequently collaborate with physios, exercise physiologists and other healthcare providers to provide the best chance of healing.
Preventing Bone Stress injuries is the best way to treat
Prevention is always the best treatment. If you feel your child has increase pressure in the lumbar region especially, then don’t hesitiate. Come get checked.
Nutrition Matters: A diet rich in vitamin D supports healthy bone development, which is crucial for growing teenagers.
Strength Training: Building strong muscles, especially in the core and legs, can help support the bones and reduce strain.
Rest and Recovery: Don’t underestimate the power of rest! Giving young athletes time to recover is essential for their bodies to repair and grow stronger.
Early Action: If your teenager is experiencing persistent pain or discomfort, particularly in the lower back or legs, it’s better to address it sooner rather than later. Early intervention with chiropractic care can often prevent minor issues from turning into major injuries.
When to seek Chiropractic care for your Teenage Athlete
Persistent pain and Discomfort:
If your child is experiencing ongoing pain in their lower back, legs, or feet that doesn’t seem to go away with rest, it could be more than just a typical muscle strain. Stress fractures often start with a dull, aching pain that worsens with activity and eases with rest. However, spinal segmental dysfunctions can also contribute to this discomfort. A chiropractor can assess whether there’s an underlying spinal issue contributing to this pain and provide appropriate care.
Recurrent Injuries
This is one of the most important points. If your child has had multiple injuries, particularly in the same area? This could be a sign that there’s an underlying issue that hasn’t been addressed. For instance, if they’ve had multipleissues in their legs, it could be due to improper load distribution caused by a spinal misalignment. Chiropractic care can help address these root causes, reducing the likelihood of recurring injuries.
Unexplained changes in performance:
Has your teenage athlete suddenly struggled with their performance, despite maintaining their usual training routine? Sometimes, underlying issues such as poor spinal alignment or segmental dysfunctions can affect how their body moves and performs, leading to a drop in their abilities. A chiropractic evaluation can help identify if there’s a biomechanical problem impacting their performance.
Poor Posture
If you notice that your child’s posture seems off—like one shoulder being higher than the other, or a tendency to lean to one side—this could be a sign of a spinal misalignment. Poor posture can lead to uneven distribution of forces on the body, increasing the risk of overuse injuries like stress fractures. A chiropractor can help correct these imbalances, promoting better posture and reducing injury risks.
Difficulty in recovery
If your teenager is struggling to recover from an injury or seems to be taking longer than expected to get back to their usual self, it might be worth exploring if there are any biomechanical issues at play. Chiropractic care can support the body’s natural healing processes by improving spinal function and reducing stress on affected areas.
Preventative Care
Even if your child isn’t currently experiencing pain or injury, regular chiropractic check-ups can be a proactive way to ensure their body is functioning optimally. Prevention is always better than cure, and chiropractic care can help identify and address small issues before they become significant problems.
Benefits of Early Intervention
Addressing spinal issues early can significantly reduce the risk of developing stress fractures and other overuse injuries. Chiropractic care focuses on restoring proper function to the spine and nervous system, which in turn can improve overall biomechanics and support the body’s natural ability to heal and perform. For teenage athletes in Revesby and Bankstown, this means less time side-lined with injuries and more time enjoying their sport at their best.
If you want to make a start with chiropractic care, click here to book your first appointment online with our Revesby Chiropractors.
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