Chiropractic sports injuries and performance

Chiropractors evaluate, treat and can help speed up recovery of neck, back, and extremity injuries. This can be especially helpful for athletes of any age, as most sports involve running, jumping, tackling, etc. These activities can lead to a numerous variety of injuries, ranging from minor to major. Chiropractors are used by athletes to treat and prevent these types of injuries. MIsalignments in the spine and elsewhere can occur from sports activities and trauma, and chiropractors are the ONLY healthcare providers trained to diagnose and treat these misalignments. These adjustments return the body to a normal state, reducing pain, and allowing the nervous system to properly function

Chiropractic has become widely popular for amateur and professional sports teams across the world. In fact, most professional sports teams actually have a chiropractor on staff. This includes the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, Olympic athletes across the world, and European soccer clubs. MIchael Jordan, Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, and Tiger Woods are just a few athletes who have been very outspoken about the importance of chiropractic in the sports world. Chiropractors are becoming more and more widespread on sports teams throughout the world. A good question to ask is, “if chiropractic DID NOT help athletes heal and recover from injuries, would sports teams who are paying their athletes millions of dollars employ and allow such treatment on their investments"

Here's how regular chiropractic adjustments can improve athletic performance:

• Strength: Chiropractic adjustments help your body to heal, which means reduced pain and faster recovery. Because chiropractic can help with more efficient training, it provides athletes with the a better opportunity to build strength and endurance.
• Coordination: Hand-eye coordination is a must for many sports, particularly those that require catching, throwing, or hitting a ball. Palmer College of Chiropractic conducted a study on the impacts of chiropractic care on athletic performance and found a 30 percent improvement in hand-eye coordination after 12 weeks of chiropractic treatment.
• Balance: Both of the field and off, athletes must be able to respond and move quickly without losing their footing in order to avoid injury. Chiropractic promotes balance and optimal functionality in the musculoskeletal system, making it easier for athletes to maintain their balance.
• Flexibility: Flexibility is determined by muscle length. Injuries, overuse, and postural imbalance can all negatively effect flexibility, but regular chiropractic adjustments can help athletes overcome those issues.
• Range of Motion: An athlete's range of motion is measured by how well a joint moves. Though flexibility is an important part of range of motion, the health of the joint and surrounding tissues also matter. When injury, pain, or structural imbalances limit an athlete's range of motion, their performance is negatively effected. Chiropractic care can correct those imbalances and misalignments, helping athletes maintain an optimal range of motion.

​You might be thinking that you don’t partake in extreme sports or high-impact exercises, so you don't have to worry about overuse injuries. But it’s not just those activities that cause those injuries. You can get them from just sitting at your desk, typing on your computer. When you perform the same activity or movement repeatedly, you are at risk for an overuse injury.

To prevent injuries from overuse, we suggest:

• Identifying the root of the problem – In order to properly treat your injury, we have to first identify what activity is causing it. Fortunately, we are experts at this!
• Cross-training – Just like everything else in life, your workouts need to be balanced. If you are a cross-training pro, give yoga a try to increase flexibility and reduce muscle tension.
• Create balance – If you are experiencing muscle tightness, stretch them out! If your muscles are weak, work towards strengthening them. That balance is vital to avoiding overuse injuries.
• Rest – You might be thinking that you have to exercise every single day to achieve a strong core, but that’s not the case at all. Your body requires at least one day of rest per week to recuperate.
• Manage inflammation – Regular chiropractic adjustments are a great way to find relief from overuse injuries, but learning how to manage your pain with good, old-fashioned heat and ice therapy is also an excellent tool. 

See Your Chiropractor!Injuries from overuse aren’t always apparent. A number of small, unhealed injuries can accumulate over time, leaving you feeling like a wreck. Those small traumas eventually weaken you and impact how efficiently you move.
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If you want to learn more about preventing overuse injuries, just ask during your next consultation.

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References

1. Legaspi O., Edmond SL., (2007). Does the evidence support the existence of lumbar spine coupled motion? A critical review of the literature. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy. 37(4), 169-78.
2. Gibbons P, Tehan P. (1998). Muscle energy concepts and coupled motion of the spine. Manual Therapy, 3(2), 95-101.
3. Sizer P.S. Jr., Brismée J.M., Cook C., (2007). Coupling behavior of the thoracic spine: a systematic review of the literature. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics. 30(5):390-399.
4. Cook C., Hegedus E., Showalter C., Sizer P.S. Jr. (2006). Coupling behavior of the cervical spine: a systematic review of the literature. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics. 29(7). 570-575.​