Join Our Team
If he or she participates in an overhead sport (baseball, softball, tennis, volleyball, throwing in track and field, to name a few) it is entirely possible that a potential injury could be developing and you wouldn’t know it. An overhead athlete can be defined as one who arcs the upper arm or shoulder above the head when throwing or swinging. With the start of spring upon us, the most prevalent sports that can cause overuse injuries are baseball and softball, so we’ll be focusing on those in this article.
Overuse Injuries
Athletes who play overhead sports are very susceptible to overuse injuries. These injuries occur gradually over time and are caused by repetitive motions that loosen the ligaments. In Little League, pitchers who are throwing too much without enough rest in between games can develop an overuse injury. Oftentimes, the injury is not recognized or treated until it has become very painful.
When leagues do not adhere to proper pitch counts, the athlete’s growth and development are disrupted because they are not receiving adequate rest. Little League athletes between the ages of 5 and 18 have an appropriate pitch count determined by their age group, that increases as players get older. If a child plays for multiple teams or is pitching at a showcase event, the required two days of rest is often not adhered. If your child is a baseball or softball pitcher and you notice a decline in performance, lack of motivation, the favoring of one side over the other or an affected area that is warm or swollen, these could be early signs of an overuse injury. Recognizing these signs and symptoms and seeking immediate treatment may prevent further injury.
Prevention
Overuse injuries account for 50 percent of youth sports injuries. Proper warm-up techniques and adhering to the required number of rest days between games can help prevent injuries from occurring in the first place. Warm-ups should be dynamic and include stretching exercises to raise body temperature and blood circulation. To avoid shoulder instability, strained rotator cuffs and Little League elbow, do not “work through the pain.” Address the issue at the first sign, making sure that players are moving with proper form, pitching with their whole bodies and are physically fit to play. At Integrated Rehab, we have designed programs that teach dynamic warm-up and proper body mechanics in an effort to educate athletes and prevent these types of injuries.
Treatment
If your child has shoulder or arm pain, first follow the RICE method: Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation. Since overuse injuries can be hard to identify, there is a chance that damage could have been done before you recognized it. If you are concerned that your child is at risk for injury, contact an Integrated Rehab clinic to schedule a courtesy assessment with one of our Physical Therapists. We will evaluate the child’s physical history, identify their interests and goals and find out what needs to be corrected to get them back on track. If we can, we will treat them on the spot or refer them to an appropriate healthcare professional if the injury warrants.