Do your kids play football?

   This is Texas, and football is king. So I am guessing you either have kids or know of a kid that plays football. And lately there has been a lot of discussion regarding the safety of football. Specifically concussions and spinal cord injuries. Most recently we saw a settlement between the NFL and the NFLPA for over 700 million for the long term health effects of playing the sport. This was disappointing for the fact that it was rumored that the NFL had been keeping a lot of research quiet in regards to overall safety. This research was also rumored to be a game changer, meaning it would make parents nationwide second guess letting their child play football. Now, due to the settlement we won't see any of it. Now don't get me wrong football runs through my blood too. Being a two time California state champion in high school and playing division 1 college football myself it would probably be impossible for me not to let my kids play the sport. 
   So what do we do? How do we ensure our kids safety? Their are a few precautions you should take. A recent study has shown a dramatic and eye-opening correlation between an athlete’s neck curve (cervical curve), and the extent of injury sustained during head-first or direct impact blows to the front-top of the skull. In other words, athletes with straight or reversed cervical curves are prone to complex injuries to the cervical tissue and nerve roots, while those who maintain a normal cervical curve have a lot less chance of long-term and complex injuries. Screening for neck curve abnormalities should be part of every athlete’s routine before, during, and after football season. Ensuring a correct cervical curve not only protects athletes from complex injuries, but ensures optimal health and wellness for the rest of us. This is another reason why we check every kid for free at my office Adjust in Dallas. 
   In regards to concussions, not every helmet is created equal. One who's technology is far superior to many other helmets in made by Xenith. They created a revolutionary design called a Shockbonnet, which redistributes the force of blow. Most helmets are made for the big hits, Xenith has been designed to withstand the small repetitive hits that research is showing causes the long term health problems like dementia, Alzheimer's, and Parkinson's. This helmet is being used by many pro's, and actually my youngest brother who still plays football uses it as well. Also, making sure your kid always wears a mouth piece. The two concussions I experienced in college personally both times I wasn't wearing my mouth piece. I know I know, but it's easier to call out audibles when it's stuck in your face mask instead of your mouth. I think we all would like to do things over if we could! 
   If you are local in the Dallas Ft. Worth area and would like your child checked as a precaution contact our office today.

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