You may think only someone who is injured needs the chiropractor, but it’s a great idea for athletes to visit the chiropractor too. This can be done before they’re injured, after they’re injured, and when they’re recovering from an injury.
Chiropractic care is ideal for treating athletic injuries because it’s noninvasive and drug-free. This is why professional sports leagues, including, but not limited to, the NFL and MLB, have long recognized its benefits. Even coaches of Olympic athletes recommend chiropractic care!
Here Are Those:
- Deal with pain: Chiropractic care is a great way to deal with pain because it’s natural. When you get hurt while playing sports, you might not want to take strong pain medicine because of the risks. That’s a smart worry to have. A lot of athletes try natural ways to get better before they think about using serious medications. Chiropractic treatment helps get to the root of the pain and encourages your body to heal itself, instead of just covering up the pain with medication.
- #It addresses the underlying cause of symptoms: When you sprain a muscle, twist your back, or pull a hamstring, it’s no mystery that the sport is the likely cause. But what about tingling or numbness, dizziness, headaches, or balance problems? These are signs of pinched nerves caused by herniated discs or spinal misalignments. A physical assessment will reveal whether your spine is misaligned and if an adjustment could help alleviate all of your symptoms.
- #It shortens recovery time: The quicker you feel better, the faster you’re back on the field or court. Rather than simply immobilizing the injury and prescribing pain pills, a chiropractor seeks the injured area and recommends the best treatments. This speeds up your recovery process. Noninvasive treatments offer a much faster way to heal.
- #It decreases future injury risks: Many people only see a chiropractor if they already have an injury, but this is a mistake. When used as a preventative measure, you can be less prone to future injury. Chiropractic treatments help to ease tightness in your muscles and the soft tissues that connect them, which can make you more limber. When your body is more flexible, there’s a smaller chance of injuring your muscles and the cords that connect your bones. Plus, chiropractors can help with muscle tiredness and aches right when they happen, stopping them from turning into long-term problems.
- #You’ll receive a personalized treatment plan: Chiropractors typically spend more time with their patients than primary care doctors, especially chiropractors who specialize in treating athletes. Your chiropractor will examine your body as a whole and recommend treatments based on your individual needs. A baseball pitcher may receive care focused on treating and preventing arm injuries, while a lineman on a football team may need more attention given to their knees. Only with this kind of customized therapy can you improve your athletic ability at the same time as your long-term health.
Chiropractic Care for Athletes Vs Normal Individuals
| Comparison | Chiropractic Care for Athletes | Chiropractic Care for Normal Individuals |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose of Care | Enhance performance, prevent injuries, and speed up recovery time. | Maintain overall health and well-being, alleviate common pains and discomforts, and support natural healing processes. |
| Common Treatments | Adjustments targeting areas frequently stressed in specific sports; sports massage; functional movement therapies. | General spinal adjustments, focusing on relieving tension and improving spinal alignment. |
| Frequency of Visits | Often tied to training schedules; may be more frequent during competitive seasons. | Typically regular intervals, such as weekly or monthly, depending on individual health needs. |
| Benefits | Improved joint mobility, increased flexibility, better balance and coordination, injury prevention. | Reduced pain and discomfort, increased mobility, better posture, stress relief, and prevention of various health issues linked to the spine. |
| Types of Injuries Addressed | Focus on sports-related injuries, repetitive strain, and preventative care for high-impact activities. | Focus on everyday wear and tear, such as back pain from sitting, accidents, or lifting heavy objects improperly. |
| Performance & Recovery | Tailored to improve athletic performance and accelerate recovery post-competition or injury. | Aimed at improving quality of life and facilitating recovery from routine stresses and minor injuries. |
This is only the beginning. There are many reasons for all people to visit the chiropractor, including athletes of all ages. To learn more about how a chiropractor can help an athlete stay uninjured and recover from an injury, go now and read more about chiropractic care.
