Summertime is finally upon us which means Kidz are out and about doing endless sports, activities, camps, you name it! Chiro for Kidz shares TOP 5 TIPS TO KEEP KIDZ INJURY FREE THIS SUMMER.  

1. Chiropractic Adjustments

Chiropractic adjustments can help keep your busy kidz active + feeling their best all summer long! With joint specific conditions we first assess the joint + its motion! [we like to say we are finding the ‘sticky’ spots] . Then we adjust to help improve range of motion + function as well as reduce pain. Common conditions that our pediatric chiropractors can help with this summer may include:

—shoulder pain [especially for baseball/softball lovers + swimmers]

—elbow conditions [golfers elbow, tennis elbow, etc]

—swimmer’s ear 

—seasonal allergies [congestion, ear pain, etc.]

—joint sprains/strains

—muscle soreness/stiffness [overuse]

2. Kid Friendly Stretches + Targeted Exercises 

Stretching for kidz is a great proactive technique for injury prevention! Just like mamas, every body is different and requires a different balance of muscle lengthening, strengthening, + stabilizing. We recommend specific stretches to our kidz in clinic and make it fun for them so they actually want to do them! 

3. Hydrate

Hydration is an important component to health for everyone, but with the summer heat it needs some special attention. Typically, recommended water intake is half of one’s body weight in ounces, but with kidz its not realistic to track their water intake at all times. Keep water handy outdoors + start a reusable water bottle habit with your little! One of our favorite ways to change up water for young kidz is to make fruit cubes! Simply make ice cubes using regular water or coconut water + add your favorite fruits! 

4. Keep Cool

Its been pretty evident already this summer that the temperatures are going to be crazy hot and humid! Kidz can have an especially hard time on high temp days because they dissipate heat differently than adults. Unlike adults, kidz rely on their larger relative skin surface area [higher surface area to mass ratio] and less on sweat [evaporative heat loss.] This just means that when conditions are extreme, they are more likely to overheat. Here are some things to keep in mind when being sun safe this summer:

• sunscreen
• hats + Sunglasses
• long sleeve swim tops
• light colored clothing
• use shade when available 
• limit time outside with EXTREME heat

5. Bug Bite Tips

There are many natural solutions/products for bug repellant. Some of the classic natural repellants are:

• Lemon eucalyptus oil
• Lavender
• Citronella 
• Tea tree
• Cinnamon oil 
• Vanilla Extract

We like “Simply Soothing Bug Soother Spray” it smells great, is deet free, and most importantly it's safe for kids [+ pets]! There are also many home hacks for bug bite relief such as:

• Tea tree oil [make sure it’s topical-safe + diluted]
• Milk + Water [equal parts, apply with q-tip]
• Lemon/Lime juice [avoid sun exposure with this one]
• Apple Cider Vinegar
• Coconut oil
• Ice