Whether your child plays hockey, soccer, gymnastics, figure skating, or spends hours each week in dance classes, their growing body is exposed to repeated physical demands. As a parent, you naturally want to help them stay healthy, perform their best, and reduce their risk of injury.
So, should every child have a spinal assessment? The answer is yes — as part of a comprehensive musculoskeletal assessment — but perhaps not for the reason you might expect.
Current sports medicine guidelines support evaluating young athletes before participation to identify issues that could affect safe performance. A thorough assessment can detect previous injuries, joint instability, reduced flexibility, muscle weakness, balance problems, neurological abnormalities, poor movement patterns, and signs of conditions such as scoliosis or other postural changes.
At Woodbridge Rehabilitation Centre, we assess posture, spinal mobility, joint function, strength, flexibility, balance, coordination, and movement patterns that are specific to your child’s sport or dance activity. These findings can help guide exercises, training modifications, or referral for further medical evaluation when necessary.
If your child is preparing for a new sports season or dance program, consider a comprehensive musculoskeletal assessment as part of their overall health and performance plan.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Please consult a qualified healthcare provider to determine what is right for your child.