Over the past few decades, on-staff chiropractors for professional and Olympics teams have skyrocketed. Today, chiropractors treat more than 35 million Americans annually. Famous athletes like Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods, and Tom Brady have all used chiropractic services to treat and prevent sports injuries, and more people (not just athletes) are waking up to the wide range of benefits. But what are they?
For one, ongoing chiropractic care helps treat and prevent repetitive strain injuries. At the same time, chiropractic care elevates mood and energy levels, increases joint flexibility, and provides pain relief, even for people that don’t engage in intense physical activity. As you’ll learn below, visiting a chiropractor can significantly reduce the chance of repetitive strain injuries and cut down on recovery time when injured.
Repetitive strain injury, also referred to as RSI, is a gradual buildup of damage to muscles, tendons, and nerves from repetitive motions. RSIs are ubiquitous and caused by many different activities, including working on a computer, using tools, sports training, and any other task requiring repetitive movement.
Symptoms of repetitive strain injuries include numbness, tenderness, swelling, throbbing, weakness, or a lack of mobility in regions like the wrists, hands, arms, elbows, neck, and shoulders. Some of the most common types of RSIs are carpal tunnel syndrome, tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow, and rotator cuff injuries.
The silver lining is that by enhancing full-body alignment and flexibility, restoring joint function, and reducing inflammation, pain, and tension, chiropractors can treat and prevent RSIs and boost recovery for those already experiencing adverse side effects.
According to Healthline, carpal tunnel syndrome is “the compression of the median nerve as it passes into the hand.” The median nerve is located on the palm side of your hand (also called the carpal tunnel) and provides sensation to four fingers. Carpal tunnel syndrome can develop in both hands or just one. It’s caused by swelling inside the wrist evidenced by weakness, tingling, or a sensation of numbness near the thumb.
If you’re wondering: Can a chiropractor help with carpal tunnel? The answer is YES. Seeing a chiropractor for carpal tunnel effectively treats and prevents the syndrome because it decreases inflammation and pain. Methods like chiropractic manipulation minimize the pressure applied to the median nerve through the cervical spine. Chiropractors may also employ gentle manipulation of the wrist and elbow, thus relieving pain brought on by the condition.
“Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis) is a painful inflammation of the elbow joint caused by repetitive stress (overuse). The pain is located on the elbow’s outside (lateral side) but may radiate down the back of your forearm. You’ll likely feel the pain when you straighten or fully extend your arm.”
—Healthline
But can chiropractors help with tennis elbow? They sure can. Chiropractors help treat and prevent tennis elbow by decreasing compression and inflammation in the elbows, which is achieved through adjustments to the elbows and wrists paired with ongoing care. Chiropractic adjustments for tennis elbow may also include adjustments to the cervical spine or neck.
Rotator cuff injuries are a form of tendonitis that affect movement in the shoulder joint. If you’re having trouble moving your shoulder, there’s a good chance you’re suffering from inflammation in the shoulder tendons. In most cases, rotator cuff injuries, like tendonitis, happen slowly over a long period. They’re usually a side effect of holding your shoulder in a particular position for too long.
Luckily, many chiropractors specialize in treating rotator cuff injuries. Chiropractic adjustments help maintain and increase balance in the shoulder joint. This is then paired with individualized therapies designed to enhance strength and flexibility in the rotator cuff region.
Golfer’s elbow or ‘medial epicondylitis’ is a form of tendonitis that arises when repetitive stress causes pain on the side of the inner elbow. In many cases, the root cause is intense flexing (like gripping or swinging) in the wrist and fingers over a long period. If you’re experiencing a lack of mobility in the elbow and weakness in the hands and wrists, you may have golfer’s elbow.
One of the best ways to treat and prevent golfer’s elbow is with chiropractic care. There are various chiropractic techniques dedicated to alleviating its symptoms, most notably joint manipulation. Aside from manipulation, Chiro One chiropractors employ a range of natural methods to help with the pain, including adjustments, ice, stretching, and physical therapy.
One of the most significant advantages of ongoing chiropractic care is that it helps to treat and prevent repetitive strain injuries and boosts recovery time when injuries occur. Chiropractic care takes a holistic approach and contributes to total body wellness. At Chiro One, we specialize in correcting posture imbalances, misalignments and treating pain. Our care approach includes a detailed exam, a unique treatment plan, an expert clinical care team, and a supportive patient community for your health and wellness journey.
Schedule your appointment with one of our Chiro One doctors today.
22 Chiropractic Statistics (and Facts): Crunching the Numbers, 2021
The Financial Benefits of Chiropractic Care, 2018
Everything You Should Know About Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI), 2017
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, 2019
Tennis Elbow, 2018
What You Need to Know About Rotator Cuff Tendinitis, 2018
Golfer’s Elbow, 2021
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Chiropractic care can help treat and prevent sports injuries by improving spinal alignment while also working to restore mobility and flexibility for all of your joints, from head to toe.
Utilized by athletes in nearly every sport, chiropractors provide pain relief, preventative and performance-based care that can keep athletes feeling – and playing – their best.