5 Ways Chiropractic Can Prevent Sports Injuries
Focused on peak performance?
Here are 5 ways that sports chiropractors can help prevent sports injuries.
As an athlete, you’re constantly on the lookout for new ways to stay at the top of your game. And when it comes to peak performance, preventing injury is just as important as proper technique.
Sports injuries don’t just cause pain and discomfort; they can also prevent us from participating in our favorite activities.
Any sport—from tennis to golf—comes with its own set of risks. But with regular chiropractic care, you can help avoid injuries so you can stay at the top of your game.
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1. Correct Joint Misalignments
Chiropractors have gained a reputation as “back cracking experts,” but there’s a lot more to it than meets the eye.
Chiropractic adjustments work by correcting misalignments in the spine and other joints throughout your body. Misaligned joints (also known as subluxations) can put pressure on surrounding nerves and pull muscles past the point of comfort.
If these misalignments are left untreated, you risk deteriorating the joint and causing further damage to the surrounding tissue.
2. Improve Range of Motion
As you can imagine, a joint that isn’t properly aligned won’t be able to move as fluidly throughout its full range of motion.
By correcting the position of the joints throughout your spine and other parts of the body, a sports chiropractor can release tight muscles and allow for more freedom of movement. You may even see your golf swing improve!
3. Correct Posture
No matter what sport or position you play, maintaining good form is an important part of preventing sports injuries. It’s especially vital for young athletes to learn correct posture and form early, so they don’t have to relearn these fundamental skills later.
A chiropractor with knowledge of sports medicine can both correct and maintain good posture with regular chiropractic adjustments.
After one adjustment, you may feel a significant improvement in pain, but your muscle memory will soon start pulling those joints back to their original (incorrect) position. Seeing your chiropractor every few weeks will help your joints stay in their proper place.
4. Reduce Pain
Sore muscles are a natural part of playing any sport. But when muscle soreness leaves you unable to maintain good form and posture (or enjoy the game you’ve been looking forward to all week), you run the risk of injury.
Thankfully, medical massage has been found to be effective at reducing post-workout soreness, and it’s offered at most chiropractor’s offices.
5. Boost Endurance
A recent study of Chinese athletes found that chiropractic care can not only prevent injuries, but help boost performance and endurance.
This only proves what chiropractors have always known!
The central nervous system runs from the brain, through the spinal cord, then to all other areas of the body. When your spinal cord is not in proper alignment, these nerves may be pinched or squeezed, which can cause any number of symptoms.
Chiropractic care is a holistic approach to medicine, which means that the entire body is treated as a whole. By making sure your nervous system can operate unhindered, your overall health can be improved.
Other Ways To Prevent Sports Injuries
Even chiropractic care can only go so far at preventing injuries. Here are some additional injury prevention tips for athletes.
- Always wear properly fitted protective gear that’s appropriate for your sport. Protective equipment such as face guards, helmets, protective cups, and padding are your best protection against injury.
- Engage in static or dynamic stretching exercises both before and after a workout (or game) to prepare the muscles for activity.
- Recognize your limits and take plenty of time to rest. We are often encouraged to “push the limits”, especially during sports. But remember that pain is the body’s signal that something is wrong. Ignoring these signals is the quickest path to injury.
Stay In the Game With Oviedo Chiropractic
Occasional sports injuries may be unavoidable, even for the most cautious of athletes. But with regular chiropractic care, you can drastically reduce your downtime so you can spend more time doing what you love.
At Oviedo Chiropractic, we know how important it is to play your favorite sports, from football and soccer to baseball and softball. But it’s also important to play safe.
Our friendly and knowledgeable chiropractors will fully assess your condition using our in-house X-ray and consult with you on your lifestyle to find a treatment plan that works for you.
Schedule an appointment today so we can help you stay at the top of your game!
