Sports and Chiropractic: Boosting Performance and Preventing Injury

As the leading experts in the musculoskeletal system, chiropractors are many athletes’ top choice for ongoing preventative and performance-based care. Used widely across many sports, the chiropractic adjustment and therapies can help to boost overall performance, decrease downtime due to injury and keep athletes in top shape.

Common Injuries in Sports

Forceful impacts, repetitive motions and overuse often lead to sports injuries at any age. (Think: tackling in football, crouching as a catcher in baseball or softball, repeated movements as a gymnast.) Avoiding the injuries is optimal—and if you have experienced an injury, healing as rapidly as possible is critical to overall well-being and your ability to continue to enjoy the sport you love.

A study published in the journal BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders found that the addition of chiropractic care greatly reduced strain injuries, time missed due to knee injuries and lower back pain for athletes in a semi-pro Australian football team. These athletes also experienced an improvement in overall health and well-being.

Spinal Health, Subluxations and Chiropractic

Many people don’t realize how critical spinal health is to proper functioning of not only the musculoskeletal system but the entire body. Misalignments in the spine, known as subluxations, can occur from trauma and injury, in addition to toxins and stress. Chiropractors are the only healthcare providers trained to diagnose and treat subluxations. These misalignments hinder the optimal function of the nervous system, which consists of the brain, spinal cord, sensory organs and a network of nerve cells and fibers that transmit signals to different parts of the body.

Through the chiropractic adjustment of the spine and the removal of subluxations, chiropractic physicians help to return the body to a normal state, reducing tension, pain and the overall likelihood of injury.

Children’s Sports and Chiropractic

Chiropractic care isn’t just for pros and adults—children who are involved in any sport can reap huge benefits from ongoing care. Chiropractic is perfectly safe for children of any age and is an important tool for preventing long-term damage to your child’s growing body.

According for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 2.6 million children aged 0 to 19 years old are treated for sports and recreational injuries. Of these injuries, musculoskeletal are by far the most common. Whether your child is in a contact sport like football or hockey or a non-contact sport like gymnastics or swimming, regular exams, adjustments and therapies are essential.

Choose Chiropractic First

Choosing chiropractic as your first line of defense once an injury occurs can decrease the likelihood of surgery and further injury. Talk to your chiropractor to learn more about how regular care can boost your performance, as well as prevent and manage injury.

Make an appointment to talk to a chiropractic doctor about chiropractic and aging.