Helping parents understand what feelings and moods are normal and what might need a little extra attention.
Becoming a mom changes you forever — and that includes your mental and emotional state of being.
From “Ellen” to The New York Times, everyone is talking about the new cheerleading docuseries on Netflix, “Cheer.” As a licensed athletic trainer with experience working with the sport of acrobatics and tumbling, there is so much I enjoy about this new show. But there are some cringeworthy parts, too. Here are a few top takeaways from my vantage point in pediatric sports medicine.
Mat talk is key
Encouragement goes a long way in sports and the "mat talk" in "Cheer" is no exception. The positive energy from athletes who loudly broadcast support for their teammates from the sidelines keeps everyone going.
Finding support and positive energy on your team is a must, but for some young athletes, the support of a sport psychologist can be helpful, too. Our sports psychologists help young athletes:
Don’t do dark room therapy for concussions
Concussions need to be taken seriously, but in “Cheer,” they seem to be brushed under the rug and that could lead to short- and long-term problems for athletes. Unlike suggestions made on the show, Children's Wisconsin providers do not recommend dark room or "cocoon" therapy following a concussion. While it is appropriate at first to avoid visual stimulation –– including video games, computers, texting, television and reading –– going to the extreme of a dark room is not proven to enhance recovery from a concussion.
Appropriate care for concussion includes:
It’s also a great idea to have a baseline concussion test. This is given when an athlete is healthy and the results can be compared to a test given after a suspected concussion. This helps sports medicine specialists improve concussion care and make return-to-play decisions.
Nourish your body
We know all athletes want to look and perform their best. But taking care of yourself properly is always more important than the number on the scale or the size of your uniform. A registered dietitian who specializes in sports nutrition can help young athletes with:
All hail dancers
Can anyone match La’Darius’ dance moves? Whew! Demands on a young dancer’s body can be different than other sports, which is why we developed the Dance Medicine Program to specifically meet the needs of dancers. We treat dancers from all genres, including ballet, tap, jazz, competitive dance and, yes, cheerleading.
Know your limits, and support coaches who respect them
While it’s admirable to push yourself to be a better athlete, it is never a good idea to push through pain or limping. Pushing through pain can result in injury and longer time out of your sport or activity. Coach Monica made a point by pushing injured kids to practice, at the expense of their well-being. Injured athletes should always stay on the sidelines until they’re cleared to play by their medical team. Learning plays and supporting teammates from the sidelines is a valid and important way to participate when injured.
I’ll keep on cheering for the amazing athletes of “Cheer,” while encouraging kids, parents and coaches to always put the health and safety of young athletes first.
Helping parents understand what feelings and moods are normal and what might need a little extra attention.
Becoming a mom changes you forever — and that includes your mental and emotional state of being.
As a parent, chances are you’ve seen it or have even worn it on your shirt: spit-up.
The transition from breast milk and formula to solid foods is a major milestone for babies.
Dealing with uncomfortable situations helps kids develop and grow.
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Understanding different causes of crying and how to soothe them.