Denise Didio Buher, PT, is owner of Orthopedic & Spine Physical Therapy\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

BY DENISE DIDIO BUHER, PT<\/p>\n

A surprising number of high school athletes are
\ninjured each year. Football, soccer, volleyball and
\ncheerleading injuries for youth totaled more than
\n1.5 million in 2013 according to the Consumer
\nProduct Safety Commission (CPSC).<\/p>\n

One potential solution to high school sports
\ninjuries is better partnerships between athletic
\ncoaching staff, athletic trainers and physical
\ntherapists. While coaches and athletic trainers
\nhandle a student athlete’s immediate healthcare
\nneeds on the sidelines, physical therapists can
\nprovide one-on-one treatment and more hands-on
\ntechniques for injury recovery.<\/p>\n

According to the National Athletic Trainer’s
\nAssociation, only 42 percent of high schools have
\naccess to athletic trainers. With more than half
\nthe nation’s high school without an on-site trainer,
\nparents should advocate for increased partnerships
\nbetween their children’s athletic coaches
\nand their local physical therapists.<\/p>\n

Parents of student athletes can rest a little
\neasier knowing that their child’s coach has a good
\nrelationship with a local physical therapist who
\ncan provide education, recommendations and
\nsupport for injury treatment and rehabilitation.
\nWe aren’t just going to ice, heat or tape an injury
\nand send a kid back out onto the field.<\/p>\n

Our knowledge and expertise, in partnership
\nwith that of the athlete’s coach, means players stay
\nhealthy. If an individual is injured, we can provide
\ncoaches with game day advice on whether or not
\nthat individual is starting roster-ready.<\/p>\n

To prevent sporting injuries, parents and
\ncoaches should follow these sports safety tips from
\nSafe Kids Worldwide:<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2 Rule out potential medical conditions prior
\nto sports participation with a complete physical
\nexamination by a doctor and follow up with a
\nphysical therapist to screen for any potential
\nmusculoskeletal dysfunctions.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2 Notify coaches and staff of any pre-existing
\nmedical conditions before the first practice.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2 Be sure to warm-up and cool-down before and
\nafter each sporting session, respectively.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2 Drink lots of fluids before and during heightened
\nlevels of activity.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2 Ensure your athlete has all the necessary safety
\nequipment and gear for practices and games.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2 Watch for signs of injury or overuse, such as
\nheadaches and muscle or joint stiffness, and don’t
\nallow athletes to “play through the pain.”<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2 Get adequate rest throughout the week.<\/p>\n

Denise Didio Buher, PT, is owner of Orthopedic
\n& Spine Physical Therapy in the towns
\nof Queensbury and Moreau, and a member of
\nthe Private Practice Section of the American
\nPhysical Therapy Association.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Denise Didio Buher, PT, is owner of Orthopedic & Spine Physical Therapy BY DENISE DIDIO BUHER, PT A surprising number of high school athletes are injured each year. Football, soccer, volleyball and cheerleading injuries for youth totaled more than…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":121,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[58],"class_list":["post-15880","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-business-reports","tag-business-reports"],"yoast_head":"\r\n