You are in the doctor’s office with your child.  The whole visit can happen so fast because you have concerns about your child future, there are questions in your head, you have to pick up your daughter in 45 minutes from dance practice….TOO MUCH!!! 

Alright, slow down and breathe.  Your child is thinking only one thing, “How long am I out for?”  Whatever that doctor says your child will push the envelope on.  For example, if the doctor says, “No playing ball for 2 weeks,” this will get interpreted as, “take a couple days off from playing, don’t go full speed for a week, play half the game instead of fully resting, and go full speed at exactly 2 weeks with no delay.” 

What the doctor actually said was, “No playing ball for 2 weeks.”  Meaning no practicing, training, games, other sports…pretty much no major activity.  Young athletes have a major advantage that adults don’t: they heal faster and more complete.  Unfortunately, this advantage is taken away if the proper amount of time is not allotted to heal. 

So, next time you are at the doctor’s office please listen to exactly what the recommendation is for rest.  Even if the time frame is a little longer than necessary it will only ensure to protect your child from future injuries as a result of not letting the previous heal.