Fife Chiropractic & Health Awareness Center

2026 54th Ave E

Fife, WA 98424 US

253-922-0450

Open mobile navigation
  • Home
  • New Patient Center
    • Online Forms
    • What to Expect
      • Your First Visit
      • Phase 1: Relief Care
      • Phase 2: Corrective Care
      • Phase 3: Wellness Care
    • Health Resources
    • Payment Options
  • About Us
    • Meet the Doctors
      • Dr. Chrissy Blair
      • Dr. Justin Blair
      • Dr. Tracy Foley
    • Meet Our Team
    • Services & Techniques
  • Self Scheduling
  • Success Stories
  • Reviews
  • Auto/Work Injury
  • Prenatal Chiropractic
  • Pediatrics
  • Sports Injury
  • Decompression Therapy
  • Exercise
    • Basic Postural Exercises
    • For Vertigo or Dizziness
    • Osgood Schlatter
    • Spondylolisthesis or Anteriolisthesis
  • Contact Info & Directions
  • Community Content
    • About Chiropractic Care
      • What is Chiropractic
      • How Does it Work
      • Who is Chiropractic For
      • Vertebral Subluxation
      • Wellness Resources
    • Common Conditions Treated
      • Auto Accident Injuries
      • Back and Shoulder Pain
      • Body Pain
      • Chronic Condition Relief
        • Conditions Affecting Women
        • Headaches
      • Herniated Discs
      • Improved Health
      • Pediatric Ailments
      • Repetitive Use Injuries
      • Respiratory Function
    • Health & Wellness
      • Healthy Thinking
        • Get Positive
        • Relaxation Techniques
      • Life in Motion
      • Wellness Lifestyle Tips
        • Treat Yourself Well
        • Treat Others Well
        • Eat Well
      • Wellness Essentials
        • At Home
        • At Work
        • Exercise
        • Nutrition
        • What You Wear
      • Wellness Perspectives
        • Physical
        • Social
        • Spiritual
        • Mental
    • Therapies & Techniques
      • Techniques
      • Therapies
    • Newsletter Library
      • Weight Loss
      • Staying Motivated
      • Staying Young
      • Life-Work Balance
      • Stress & Anxiety
      • Mind-Body Connection
      • Wellness
      • Pregnancy & Parenting
      • Back, Body & Joint Pain
      • Senior Health
      • Breaking Bad Habits
      • Healthy Tips
      • Exercise & Fitness
      • Injury Rehab & Prevention
      • Kid's Health
      • Illness Prevention
      • Chronic Conditions
      • Nutrition & Healthy Eating
    • Wellness4Kids
  • Home >
  • Articles >
  • Newsletter Library >
  • Soccer Kids Need Protection

Soccer Kids Need Protection

  • Created in Newsletter Library

Ever since 1984, the year soccer passed baseball as the most popular team sport in the United States, participation in this sport has skyrocketed. With increasing numbers of children running and kicking their way down soccer fields across America, doctors of chiropractic are urging parents to take a step back and learn how to protect their children from the potential injuries this popular sport can cause.

Although soccer can be a great overall sport for children, some youngsters are enduring mild to severe head traumas, neck injuries, damage to the cervical spine, headache, neck pain, dizziness, irritability, and insomnia as a result of their participation, according to the September 2000 issue of the Journal of the American Chiropractic Association (JACA). Each year, in fact, youths under age 15 suffer more than 227,100 soccer-related injuries, according to recent reports.

Heading the Ball: A Risk for Children

"People have this misconception that soccer has no risk," says Scott Bautch, DC, past president of the American Chiropractic Association's (ACA) Council on Occupational Health, who has five children playing soccer. "I think soccer is too aggressive too early, which is leading to potential problems. It's not as though we can fix brain damage later on in these kids' lives." Soccer requires three basic skills - kicking (striking the ball with the feet), trapping (similar to catching the ball, only using different parts of the body), and heading the ball, (the deliberate use of the head to redirect the ball). It's that last one - heading - that stirs concern and controversy over possible permanent damage.

Philip Santiago, DC, who was an All-American soccer player in college and a professional player for five years, says that heading is safe only when children are given "proper coaching in proper technique." Dr. Santiago has also served for five years as head soccer coach at both New York Institute of Technology and Montclair State University, and was the chiropractor for the United States Olympic Team in 1992. Dr. Santiago's opinion on proper technique is backed up in a study of elite soccer players at the 1993 Olympic Festival. "While properly executed heading was not found to result in any concussive episodes, 18 percent (18 of 102) of the concussions were a result of heading," the study found.

Dr. Santiago would like to see youngsters hold off heading until age 10 or 11. Dr. Bautch prefers age 14 to 16, based on maturation and development of the spine.

Helmets: Not A Complete Solution

Some school districts are now requiring helmets for young soccer players. However, Dr. Bautch, who says helmets are "a positive," worries that helmets don't protect the spine and don't make up for too-aggressive play. "They are just a small piece that may give some protection," he explains. "I'd hate to see kids wear helmets and have people think that the kids are safe and that they don't have to teach safety and prevention. I would rather see no heading without helmets in young kids, and let helmets be introduced later."

Prevention and Treatment of Injuries

Parents should also encourage a broad spectrum of sports - like soccer, skating and skiing, for example - to develop the whole body. Over-playing and over-training are problems exacerbated by ambitious parents, peer pressure and adult role models. Children need their rest time.

If an injury occurs, think RICE - rest, ice, compression, and elevation of the injury - which is the recommended procedure. Keep the injury iced until the swelling is down, applying ice no longer than a 20-minute session. After 20 minutes, ice fatigues the blood vessels and causes a heat reaction that actually increases swelling. Leave the ice off for about an hour and reapply. Then, try to get the child to move the injured area as soon as possible. If pain persists, consider taking your child to a chiropractor or other health care professional.

Other Recommendations for Soccer Safety

Parents can help protect their children from soccer injuries. Many of the participants at a recent Consumer Product Safety Commission roundtable insisted that parents and coaches already have the tools at their disposal. Among them are:

  • teaching and use of proper heading technique
  • use of smaller balls for younger players
  • strict enforcement of rules
  • padding of goal posts
  • use of mouth guards
  • improved medical coverage at games
  • coaches educated in symptoms of brain injury
  • proper nutrition, including plenty of water to keep muscles hydrated
  • About Chiropractic Care
    • What is Chiropractic
    • How Does it Work
    • Who is Chiropractic For
    • Vertebral Subluxation
    • Wellness Resources
  • Common Conditions Treated
    • Auto Accident Injuries
    • Back and Shoulder Pain
    • Body Pain
    • Chronic Condition Relief
      • Conditions Affecting Women
      • Headaches
    • Herniated Discs
    • Improved Health
    • Pediatric Ailments
    • Repetitive Use Injuries
    • Respiratory Function
  • Health & Wellness
    • Healthy Thinking
      • Get Positive
      • Relaxation Techniques
    • Life in Motion
    • Wellness Lifestyle Tips
      • Treat Yourself Well
      • Treat Others Well
      • Eat Well
    • Wellness Essentials
      • At Home
      • At Work
      • Exercise
      • Nutrition
      • What You Wear
    • Wellness Perspectives
      • Physical
      • Social
      • Spiritual
      • Mental
  • Therapies & Techniques
    • Techniques
    • Therapies
  • Newsletter Library
    • Weight Loss
    • Staying Motivated
    • Staying Young
    • Life-Work Balance
    • Stress & Anxiety
    • Mind-Body Connection
    • Wellness
    • Pregnancy & Parenting
    • Back, Body & Joint Pain
    • Senior Health
    • Breaking Bad Habits
    • Healthy Tips
    • Exercise & Fitness
    • Injury Rehab & Prevention
    • Kid's Health
    • Illness Prevention
    • Chronic Conditions
    • Nutrition & Healthy Eating
  • Wellness4Kids

Free 15-Minute Phone Consultation

Sign-up using the form or call us at 253-922-0450 to take advantage of this exclusive offer.

Featured Services

Click to Find Out More

  • Services

    We strive to provide complete care for our patients. Learn more about all the services we provide.
    Learn More
  • Make an Appointment

    We will do our best to accommodate your busy schedule. Schedule and appointment today!
    Schedule Now
  • Online Forms

    Our patient forms are available online so they can be completed in the convenience of your own home of offices.
    View Forms

Read More Reviews

Office Hours

Our Regular Schedule

Monday:

9:00am

6:00pm

Tuesday:

9:00am

6:00pm

Wednesday:

9:00am

6:00pm

Thursday:

9:00am

6:00pm

Friday:

9:00am

6:00pm

Saturday:

By Appointment

By Appointment

Sunday:

Closed

Closed

Locations

Find us on the map

Testimonials

Reviews From Satisfied Patients

  • "We have been coming to Fife Chiropractic for 20 years. Each of our children have been since birth. We have always valued Chiropractic care, but this last fall it was really put to the test when our daughter fell off a horse and displaced her disk. Well, it was surgery or chiropractic care. Long story short, our daughter could have ended up in surgery but Dr.Chrissy and the staff at Fife Chiropractic helped her heal. She is the star defender of her soccer team."
    Jeff and Lynn F. /Fife, WA

Featured Articles

Read about interesting topics

  • Don't Let Back Pain Get You Down This Summer; Chiropractic Can Help

    Spending too much time on the couch due to back pain this summer? Chiropractic treatment could help you salvage your summer. ...

    Read More
  • Chiropractic Care for Osteoarthritis

    Tired of living with osteoarthritis pain? Your chiropractor may be able to help. ...

    Read More
  • Myofascial Release

    Not all pain is caused by obvious injuries like broken bones or cuts. Some pain may stem from the myofascial tissues. These tough membranes are wrapped around your muscles to provide support and connect them to other parts of the body. When myofascial tissue becomes stiff, it may restrict movement in ...

    Read More
  • Chiropractic and Headaches

    Have headaches become an unwelcome part of your life? Chiropractic care may help you finally get rid of your pain. ...

    Read More
  • How to Make Sure Your Chiropractic Adjustment Lasts

    A few surprisingly simple steps can help you maintain your chiropractic adjustment results longer. ...

    Read More
  • Chiropractic and Vertigo

    Medication isn't the only solution if you suffer from vertigo. Chiropractic treatment may finally stop the spinning. ...

    Read More
  • The 3 Most Common Chiropractic Questions Answered

    Looking for a natural way to treat pain? Chiropractic care offers an effective solution. ...

    Read More
  • How Chiropractic Care Can Help While Pregnant

    Tired of pregnancy aches and pains? Chiropractic care can ease your symptoms naturally. ...

    Read More
  • How to Enjoy Summertime Activities Without Back Pain

    Want to avoid an aching back this summer? Try a few of these suggestions. ...

    Read More
  • Winter Activities that Can Cause Pain and How to Prevent It

    Do you know how to avoid winter aches and pains? ...

    Read More

NEWSLETTER SIGNUP

Sign up for more articles

Follow Us

  • Copyright © 2022 MH Sub I, LLC dba iMatrix.
  • Admin Log In
  • Site Map