How to Treat Sports Injuries in Children Without Painkillers

Painkillers can have devastating effects on adults. These medications are addictive -- they can cause debilitating side effects and, sometimes, they can even be lethal. In fact, the deadly heroin epidemic that's laying waste to parts of the United States today was kicked off, in part, by prescription-related opioid abuse, according to many news sources.

So why on earth would doctors prescribe such potentially catastrophic treatments to children?

Children get hurt all the time -- especially if they participate in sports or other physical activities, where they risk more than just a bump on the knee. An afternoon soccer practice or weekend gymnastics meet can easily lead to a hospital visit, where a simple prescription can send our children on a dangerous path. Last year, Sports Illustrated reported on an uptick in opiate addiction among high school athletes, many of whom were prescribed OxyContin or other painkillers after they were hurt. Sadly, just a month after the story was published, the Food and Drug Administration approved prescribing that same painkiller to children as young as 11.

For some children, especially those who suffer from chronic, paralyzing discomfort, painkillers are certainly a useful, necessary option. But for standard sports injuries, the sprains and bruises and even broken bones, it's time to start considering other ways to treat our children's pain.

[See: 10 of the Biggest Health Threats Facing Your Kids This School Year.]

And it's actually much easier than one would think.

First, parents should do their best to prevent injuries in the first place. This can be done by making sure their child stretches before a game or that he or she is equipped with the best safety gear, from helmets to elbow pads to the right pair of shoes. And if their child has received an injury in the past, parents should be extra cautious before letting their son and daughter back on the field. Doing so could only make things worse.

Next, parents need to learn how to recognize when an injury is serious and when it's not. Just because their child is upset doesn't mean adults should overreact and immediately rush to an emergency room. If there is swelling, tenderness or weakness, the symptoms may go away on their own after a night of at-home nursing. However, if there is numbness, swelling or severe pain, a doctor should be consulted. (Even then, painkillers may not be the answer.) Additionally, muscle cramps are especially common among all athletes, and while they can feel very painful to children, they're often a sign of something else -- dehydration -- that can be treated very easily. Children should drink plenty of water before, during and after they participate in physical activities. If they do, they may be surprised to find that their pain has gone away completely on its own.

[See: What to Say and Do If Your Daughter Thinks She's Fat.]

Alternative Treatments

If a more serious injury does occur, a parent's first line of defense is the "PRICE" method. It may sound complicated, but it's actually a very simple concept: use protection, rest, ice, compression and elevation. A combination of these simple therapies can ease sprains and other small mishaps, and it doesn't even require a trip to the doctor (unless pain persists).

Acupuncture is another great alternative, as long as the young patient isn't afraid of needles. While it may sound like a terrifying prospect for a child, the practice isn't as uncommon as one would think. In 2007, a National Health Statistics report identified 150,000 children who used acupuncture for musculoskeletal pain, which can occur after a sports injury. Acupuncture provokes the body into releasing endorphins and other hormones into the blood, which will help reduce inflammation and treat pain. In fact, they're a natural painkiller.

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Or it may be time for parents to unleash their inner masseuse. Effleurage, a basic massage technique, can be very useful for treating small injuries, especially cramps and sprains. The practice not only soothes and stretches a sore area, but it also helps kickstart the body's endorphins (without the use of acupuncture needles). There are a number of videos available on YouTube and other platforms that demonstrate the method, but parents may want to consult with their doctor before performing this massage; they don't want to make the injury worse instead of better.

And as a last resort, ibuprofen is an inexpensive, non-habit forming, over-the-counter pain reliever that every parent should have in their first aid kit. Because it has an anti-inflammatory, it's much more effective than aspirin in children.

As Executive Director of Beach House Center for Recovery, Robert Yagoda brings more than 10 years of combined clinical and administrative experience in facility-delivered, drug and dual diagnosis treatment. Robert is a licensed mental health counselor and certified addictions professional. What motivates him most is seeing clients make groundbreaking strides in recovery, knowing he was part of their growth and success.