5 Ways Chiropractors Can Help Prevent and Treat Sports Injuries

There’s a reason that 90% of world-class athletes are now seeking ongoing chiropractic care. And it isn’t because they’re all injured. Rather, it’s because they and their coaches know that chiropractic adjustments combined with ongoing treatments are one of the best ways to prevent and treat sports injuries while improving overall performance. This holds true well beyond the realm of professional athletes. Active people who engage in all types of activities — from jogging to practicing baseball with their kids — can reduce their likelihood of injury and shorten recovery time by seeking preventative chiropractic care.

Value of Chiropractic Care in Injury Treatment & Prevention

When it comes to injury treatment and prevention, the goal of chiropractic care is to improve spinal alignment while also working to restore mobility and flexibility in any joints that may be suffering from inflammation or strain. When patients undergo regular adjustments in addition to muscle therapies, their risk of injury is reduced.

In the world of sports injury treatment, chiropractic care offers many benefits. One of the most significant advantages is that chiropractors understand how to relieve aches and pains with non-invasive techniques that don’t require medication. But the advantages don’t stop there. Let’s review the benefits of using a sports injury chiropractor for injury treatment and prevention in more detail.

How Chiropractors Can Help Prevent Sports Injuries

“It is estimated that approximately 90 percent of professional and Olympic-class athletes use chiropractic care to increase performance and reduce the risk of injury. All NFL teams and most MLB teams have a full-time chiropractor provider on staff.”

Also, consider that chiropractors treat more than 35 million Americans (adults and children) annually.

But, why are chiropractors so highly utilized and valued by people from all walks of life? Aside from boosting general health and wellness, chiropractic care provides a broad spectrum of benefits to help prevent sports injuries, such as

• Increasing strength, flexibility, and range of motion
• Soothing aches, pains, and strains
• Improving recovery time
• Reducing wear and tear on joints and muscles
• Lessening the risk of accidents and injury

While chiropractors use a range of techniques and methods to help prevent sports-related injuries, there are plenty of things you can do to minimize risk independently.

Here are six things you can do to reduce your risk of sports-related injury:

This is particularly important when transitioning from a period of inactivity (whether that is hours, days, or months), to a period of activity. Doing too much too soon is a recipe for disaster. If you’ve been inactive for any period of time, gradually ease into more physically difficult activities by starting with easier ones. For example, if you want to start running, begin by walking increasingly further distances, and then ease into running short distances that you gradually increase over time.

Believe it or not, drinking enough water can help prevent injuries. Staying hydrated helps improve mobility, recovery, and thermoregulation. It also improves mental clarity, which boosts performance and minimizes the chances of injury [cite].

When training, medical professionals recommend at least one day off per week and one whole month off per year. Understand that your body needs sufficient time to recover for optimal performance regardless of your experience level.

It may seem necessary in the middle of an activity, but playing through the pain is a bad idea. Pain causes weakness, which decreases performance and function. Instead of ignoring the signs of injury (pain), stop playing immediately and schedule an appointment with an expert to determine the best course of action.

Regular conditioning exercises help to strengthen the muscles and increase flexibility. When muscle strength and flexibility are maximized, players are less prone to injury because a healthy range of motion makes it easier for the body to perform. A few great strength exercises are bodyweight squats and bodyweight planks. For optimal benefits, combine strength and conditioning with chiropractic care.

Players, especially children, should wear the proper protective equipment, such as pads (neck, shoulder, elbow, chest, knee, shin), helmets, mouthpieces, face guards, protective cups, and eyewear. And it’s important that this equipment is properly fitted.

How Chiropractors Treat Sports Injuries

Although chiropractic care helps players avoid injury, accidents still occur. And when they do, you’ll want a medical professional you can trust. Chiropractors are trained in spinal adjustments and therapies. The goal of many chiropractic techniques is to ensure full-body alignment, enhance (or restore) joint function, resolve inflammation, reduce pain, eliminate tension, and improve flexibility. Combined this promotes faster healing and recovery.

Chiropractors treat a wide range of injuries, including hamstring strain, neck and back pain, rotator cuff injury, shin splints, tennis elbow, and knee injuries, to name a few. If you have a sports injury, set up an appointment with our doctors for a comprehensive physical exam and health history assessment.

Find a Sports Injury & Prevention Chiropractor Near You

One of the key benefits of investing in chiropractic treatment is that it works wonders for preventing and treating injuries and improving recovery time. 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 personal health and wellness journey.

Schedule your appointment with one of our Chiro One doctors today.