Sports medicine for very young athletes?

[SoCalSoftballdad]

I have seen a rise in the number of physical therapists (including sports medicine, chiropractors, nutritionists) touting their services and the benefits for young athletes. Some of the kids are as young as 4 or 5 years old. Our chiropractor offered to give free physical therapy to my 8yo DD, but she is not comfortable with it, yet?.

Is this a scam by the physical therapists to generate more revenue or are there some benefits to the young athlete. I would love to also hear Marc D.'s take on it?

 

[Chris O'Leary]

I have seen a rise in the number of physical therapists (including sports medicine, chiropractors, nutritionists) touting their services and the benefits for young athletes. Some of the kids are as young as 4 or 5 years old. Our chiropractor offered to give free physical therapy to my 8yo DD, but she is not comfortable with it, yet?.

Is this a scam by the physical therapists to generate more revenue or are there some benefits to the young athlete. I would love to also hear Marc D.'s take on it?

If your kid is healthy, it's a scam.

 

[SoftSocDad]

Of course it's a scam.

Life in America = people trying to convince you that something is wrong with you so that they can sell you something to fix it.

Unbiased 3rd-party advice: don't do this to your kid.

 

[Pitch60]

Chiropractors do NOT provide physical therapy. Only physical therapists provide physical therapy! Please do not confuse these BS scams with physical therapy (i.e. physical therapists). Whew....stepping off soap box.....

 

[redhotcoach]

My dd started going to a chiro at 8. She was heavy into gymnastics at the time (and until we pulled her out earlier this year). It helped her a lot and still wants to go, but we have only taken her twice since.
Side note: gymnastics is very very expensive. Oldest dd had back, ankle, knee, and other pains all the time. Training was 4-5 days a week several hours a day. One benefit is they are super strong for their age, oldest could easily do over 30 handstand pushups or close to 50 chin ups. I still worry though about the affects on their bodies when they are older. She was out maybe 3 months before daily complaints of back pain stopped. I am sure it is good for some, but I can't recommend it.