Yes. Chiropractors in Ontario can assess and treat children and teens, and care is adapted to a growing body. For young athletes that usually means more gentle soft tissue work, movement advice and exercise, and less forceful treatment than an adult would get.
Please call us before booking so we can match your child with the right practitioner for their age and injury.
What young athletes commonly come in for
- Heel, knee or hip pain during growth spurts
- Overuse pain from playing one sport year-round
- Low back pain in sports with a lot of bending, twisting or impact
- Muscle strains and lingering stiffness after a minor injury
How a visit differs from an adult’s
- Growth plates matter. Bones are still growing, so the exam and treatment take that into account.
- Training load comes first. Many problems in young athletes come from doing too much, too soon. Adjusting practices and games is often the most useful change.
- Parents are involved. Your chiropractor explains the findings and the plan to you and your child, and treatment needs informed consent.
- Referral when needed. If something looks like more than a muscle or joint problem, you are sent to your family doctor or pediatrician.
When to see a doctor first
See a doctor or go to emergency if your child has pain after a significant fall or collision, cannot put weight on a leg, has a visibly swollen or deformed joint, has pain that wakes them at night, or has pain along with fever or feeling unwell. A suspected concussion should be assessed right away: see concussion management.
Other services for young athletes
Depending on the problem, physiotherapy or sports performance training may be a better starting point. We will tell you if so. More about chiropractic care is on the sports injury focused chiropractic page.
Have a young athlete with a nagging injury?