Empowering Young Female Hockey Players: Chiropractic Care to Stay Strong and Injury-Free

If you're a parent of a young hockey player, especially a daughter, you know how physically demanding and strenuous the game can be. Hockey isn't just hard on adults; it's physically stressful, particularly on young girls and women. One key reason for this is our biological differences. While we aspire to treat everyone equally, we also acknowledge that boys' and girls' bodies aren't the same.

Understanding the Physical Demands

Generally, girls may not possess the same physical strength as their male counterparts, even though they tend to be more flexible. This often results in different types of injuries, more common in females, though not exclusive to them.

The physical toll hockey takes on young female athletes can be significant, sometimes causing season-ending or career-ending injuries. Neck concussions, shoulder, knee, hip, ankle, and foot injuries are all too familiar due to the repetitive strain and pressure of the game.

The Unique Challenge for Goalies

Goalie parents, how's your daughter doing? Female goalies tend to be extremely flexible, allowing them to move into the diverse positions necessary for effective goalkeeping. However, this flexibility sometimes leads to a lack of mobility and control in these postures, resulting in repetitive strain and injuries, especially in knees and hips.

If your daughter complains about being stiff but still demonstrates excellent flexibility, she might be dealing with a motor control problem that requires attention to prevent long-term issues.

Common Injuries and When to Seek Chiropractic Care Parents who played hockey in their youth might be familiar with ongoing hip issues due to a lack of motor control during their time as athletes. So, when should you consider taking your child to see a chiropractor?

Some parents take their children preemptively to optimize performance and prevent injuries. Others take a reactive approach when an injury or pain arises. If your child experiences persistent soreness, it may be time for chiropractic evaluation.

Key Signs that It's Time for a Chiropractor Visit

Performance Issues: If soreness is impacting your child's performance or making them hesitant to hit the ice, a chiropractor might help.

Persistent Symptoms: Experiencing numbness, sharp pains, or tingling in limbs or back indicates a need for immediate attention.

Recovery Issues: Difficulty recovering between games suggests that recovery processes need improvement, which chiropractic care can help with.

Concussion Symptoms: Headaches, concentration difficulties, or any signs of a concussion require prompt medical or chiropractic evaluation to prevent long-term problems.

Reduced Range of Motion: If there's any reduced mobility in the neck, shoulders, hips, knees, or back, it's wise to seek chiropractic help to regain flexibility and prevent on-ice injuries.

In Conclusion

Parents, if your daughter plays hockey, encourage her to listen to her body. Early intervention with chiropractic care could very well prevent premature injuries and support her in having a long, productive sports career. Having a chiropractor's support can significantly contribute to a successful and injury-free season. Hopefully, this guidance proves helpful in ensuring your young athlete stays strong and safe on the ice.

We look forward to seeing them have a full and great season!