7 Things to Do If Your Child Gets a Sports Injury
Sports and play are as integral to a child's well being and health as good food and ample sleep are. Every child between the ages of 4 and 16 must be pushed to take up a sport of his/her choice or one that he excels in. Sports will not only take away from the dullness of a child's routine but will also give him an opportunity to hone his inherent skills, quite possibly even making him a pro at one particular sport.
However, being good at a sport does not mean that he will not be prone to injuries or falls, even the best of sportspersons suffer from external and internal injuries, some which even take years to heal.
As a parent, sports injuries might scare you but the best thing to do is not panic, there are plenty of things you can do at the time of and after the injury that can ensure that there is no further damage and that your child is nursed back to perfect health within good time.
This article lists 7 things to do if your child gets a sports injury:
1. First Aid- The first thing to do is ensure he gets first aid as soon as possible. If there is bleeding, wipe the injured area, put some antiseptic and cover with a band-aid. Alternatively, hold the body part under running water to stop the bleeding. If there is no external bleeding or injury, ice the area to help reduce the pain.
2. Visit a Doctor-Even if there is no visible injury; make sure you take your child to a doctor for a full check up. There may be some internal injuries that may need tending, some dressing of wounds or some pain that may not necessarily cease with ordinary painkillers.
3. Get X-rays and Tests-Get detailed X-rays and tests conducted under the guidance of a doctor. This will help you understand the exact extent of damage and monitor treatment accordingly.
4. Physiotherapy- Visit a physiotherapist who will help your child exercise his muscles and slowly get back in proper shape. Hour-long sessions for a month are mostly enough for most injuries to heal.
5. Medicines and Foods- Ensure that the child is consuming ample liquids, fresh fruits and healthy foods. Foods rich in Vitamins D and K and calcium are necessary for bone formation and any injuries where bones have broken will thus require a good diet for reformation. Also ensure all oral medication is taken as prescribed and ointments are applied as suggested.
6. Counsel- Talk to your child and assure him that he will be alright. Let him visit a counselor if need be. Most kids are disheartened after sports injuries and the prospect of them staying home and losing out on their favorite game for a few weeks or months may have a strong adverse effect on the mind.
7. Rest and Pamper-Make sure your child gets ample rest. Most kids have a tendency to take injuries easy and neglect their body. Pamper them, help them to divert their mind and indulge in other activities that will not strain the injured body part.
The best thing you can do as a parent is love, nurture and care for your child. Most other things, doctors can and will handle. However it is still important to be aware of some basic first hand information and care tactics that can be resorted to in case your child suffers a sports injury and cannot be made to reach the hospital immediately.
However, being good at a sport does not mean that he will not be prone to injuries or falls, even the best of sportspersons suffer from external and internal injuries, some which even take years to heal.
As a parent, sports injuries might scare you but the best thing to do is not panic, there are plenty of things you can do at the time of and after the injury that can ensure that there is no further damage and that your child is nursed back to perfect health within good time.
This article lists 7 things to do if your child gets a sports injury:
1. First Aid- The first thing to do is ensure he gets first aid as soon as possible. If there is bleeding, wipe the injured area, put some antiseptic and cover with a band-aid. Alternatively, hold the body part under running water to stop the bleeding. If there is no external bleeding or injury, ice the area to help reduce the pain.
2. Visit a Doctor-Even if there is no visible injury; make sure you take your child to a doctor for a full check up. There may be some internal injuries that may need tending, some dressing of wounds or some pain that may not necessarily cease with ordinary painkillers.
3. Get X-rays and Tests-Get detailed X-rays and tests conducted under the guidance of a doctor. This will help you understand the exact extent of damage and monitor treatment accordingly.
4. Physiotherapy- Visit a physiotherapist who will help your child exercise his muscles and slowly get back in proper shape. Hour-long sessions for a month are mostly enough for most injuries to heal.
5. Medicines and Foods- Ensure that the child is consuming ample liquids, fresh fruits and healthy foods. Foods rich in Vitamins D and K and calcium are necessary for bone formation and any injuries where bones have broken will thus require a good diet for reformation. Also ensure all oral medication is taken as prescribed and ointments are applied as suggested.
6. Counsel- Talk to your child and assure him that he will be alright. Let him visit a counselor if need be. Most kids are disheartened after sports injuries and the prospect of them staying home and losing out on their favorite game for a few weeks or months may have a strong adverse effect on the mind.
7. Rest and Pamper-Make sure your child gets ample rest. Most kids have a tendency to take injuries easy and neglect their body. Pamper them, help them to divert their mind and indulge in other activities that will not strain the injured body part.
The best thing you can do as a parent is love, nurture and care for your child. Most other things, doctors can and will handle. However it is still important to be aware of some basic first hand information and care tactics that can be resorted to in case your child suffers a sports injury and cannot be made to reach the hospital immediately.
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