Common Sports Injuries Treated with Chiropractic Care
It’s already the start of another sporting season, and you know what that means – practice, training, and (oftentimes) injuries. Whether you’re a professional sportsperson or simply a recreational athlete, unfortunately, injuries are an unavoidable part of the game. Yet, when injuries occur, many athletes turn to a form of healthcare that’s often overlooked – chiropractic care.
Chiropractic care is a holistic form of medicine that specializes in the diagnosis, care, and prevention of neuromusculoskeletal issues, that are often caused by lifestyle factors, such as sports balancing and posture. Because of this, it is a natural fit for not only healing injuries but for keeping them at bay in the first place.
In this blog post, we’ll discuss the ways chiropractic care can help athletes and sports people get relief from their injuries, as well as how it can serve as an overall form of preventative care. So, if you’re looking to up your game, while reducing your risk of injury, let’s dive into the benefits of chiropractic care.
Quick Clarification of Key Points
Common sports injuries that are often treated with chiropractic care include back and neck pain, shoulder pain, leg, knee, and ankle pain, hip and groin pain, as well as tennis or golfer’s elbow and wrist problems. Chiropractors use a range of techniques to help reduce pain and improve mobility in the affected area.
Common Sports Injuries Treated with Chiropractic Care
Sports injuries are one of the most common causes of emergency room visits for many young athletes. Many of these injuries can cause intense pain and impair mobility, making it difficult to remain active in sports. Luckily, chiropractic care is a safe, natural way to reduce pain and swelling and help athletes heal quicker from their sports-related injuries.
Common sports injuries treated with chiropractic care include rotator cuff tears and tendonitis, among many more. With the correct approach and technique to adjust a person’s spinal alignment and promote healing, chiropractic care has proven to be an effective method of treating these painful afflictions. For individuals with rotator cuff tears, adjustments help restore joint alignment strength while helping reduce inflammation. Additionally, regular manipulation can encourage a greater range of motion in the affected area over time. In terms of relieving tendonitis muscle tension, stretching and massage therapy combined with proper posture and reinforcement techniques have been demonstrated to improve outcomes for those suffering from this condition. We perform all of these practices under one practitioner here at the Chiropractic Center of Erie and Longmont.
The evidence-based effects of chiropractic treatment on various types of sports injuries have been studied and validated by a variety of health professionals ranging from physical therapists to physicians around the world. As a holistic form of healing rather than using drugs or surgery, chiropractic care offers non-invasive solutions to provide relief that is tailored to each individual’s needs with personalized guidance toward mobility rehabilitation.
Chiropractors focus on misalignments found within the spine as well as improving mechanics throughout the entire body in order to best treat sports-related injuries. With such focus on improved physical performance and endurance, while reducing discomfort associated with any musculoskeletal issue that comes with participating in sports activities, it’s clear that establishing a close relationship between patient and doctor is paramount in achieving success when it comes to recovery time.
It’s evident that chiropractic care offers considerable benefits for the treatment of common sports issues such as tendinitis and rotator cuff tears as well as any muscular strain or misalignment due to physical exertion put onto joints or spines. With such focus on improving alignment within the body also comes a degree of responsibility from both practitioner and patient. With further research continuing to expand on evidence-based techniques for treating various types of athletic injuries, understanding how spinal manipulation functions may go a long way in developing an individualized routine required for complete relief from musculoskeletal strain or dysfunction
Neck and Back Pain from Physical Pressure on the Spine and Joints
Neck and back pain is a common issue for many athletes due to the physical pressure that comes with rigorous training and competition. Neck pain is often caused by overuse or misuse of neck muscles due to the body’s ability to rotate, bend, or stay in awkward postures for long periods of time. Meanwhile, lower back pain usually results from excessive loading of the spine from too much weight and improper alignment and form when lifting weights.
Chiropractic adjustments can realign joints and give relief to athletes. They suggest that adjustments have the capacity to reduce pressure on spinal discs and nerves as well as increase mobility through proper joint alignment.
Multiple studies have suggested that chiropractic intervention is beneficial in treating neck and back pain. For example, one randomized controlled trial conducted in 2013 found that chiropractic intervention reduced pain intensity levels more than traditional medical care for patients with neck pain. Another systematic review published in 2018 concluded that patients experienced reduced disability levels after undergoing chiropractic care for acute low-back pain.
While further research is needed to conclude whether chiropractic adjustment can provide substantial relief from such injuries, some evidence seems to suggest it is beneficial in this regard. Now that we’ve looked at possible treatments for common sports injuries, let’s look into their potential causes of them.
Main Summary Points
Neck and back pain are common among athletes, with neck pain being caused by overuse or misuse of the muscles and lower back pain being caused by excessive loading of the spine. Current research suggests that chiropractic care is beneficial in treating both neck and back pain, but further research is needed to prove it.
Causes of Sports Injuries
Sports injuries can range from minor aches and pains to severe damage to the joints, muscles, or bones. Common causes of sports injuries can vary based on the type and intensity of physical activity engaged in. For instance, when physical pressure is placed upon areas of the spine or joints, neck and back pain often result. The more vigorous the activity, the more strain is applied, making the likelihood of injury greater. Reading further into this phenomenon, poor posture while participating in physical activities has a detrimental effect on muscle spasms.
A greater understanding of the underlying cause of sports injuries—including determining which muscles are most likely to be overworked—can allow athletes to take preventative measures so as not to cause serious harm. Research suggests that for certain activities, inadequate warm-up time may predispose individuals to competing-related musculoskeletal trauma. Unfamiliarity with proper form, or hyperextension while involved in certain activities can increase the risk of injury substantially. It is important for an athlete to have sufficient training and knowledge about competing safely at a higher level than amateur or recreational participation.
Therefore, we can conclude that although there is no single source causality for developing injuries while participating in sports, inadequate preparation and lack of training regarding proper form can strongly contribute to the plausibility of any lasting trauma sustained by an athlete. As such it’s essential then to ensure proper exercise regimens are practiced prior to any heavy physical exertion. Poor form and muscle imbalance then become an increased risk due to these improper procedures and should be taken into account when determining the best ways to manage any risks associated with routine physical activity.
Poor Posture and Muscle Spasms
Poor sports posture and muscle imbalances are two of the most common causes of sports injuries. Poor posture can lead to an individual’s joints becoming misaligned, increasing their risk of experiencing physical strain or even outright injury. Having a good posture can help reduce the chances of injury when partaking in strenuous physical activities like sports. On the other hand, poor dietary and lifestyle choices such as excessive alcohol consumption, smoking, and lack of exercise can also contribute to poor posture, making it difficult to manage one’s stance during physical exertion.
Muscle imbalance and spasms, which arise from overexertion, inadequate stretching and incorrect body alignment, are another leading cause of sports injuries. Spasms can be painful and distressing for athletes; they often occur when muscles are under tension for prolonged periods and can strain ligaments or worse in some cases. However, research has shown that targeted muscle-strengthening exercises can help reduce the chances of muscle spasms occurring in the first place.
In summary: both poor training posture and muscle imbalance can increase the likelihood of a harmful incident taking place when participating in sports activities. Therefore, by maintaining good training posture and building up one’s muscles through correct exercise regimens, those involved in sporting activities can reduce their chances of injuries. Fortunately, there are certain methods available to assist with managing these issues which we will seek to explore in the next section.
Benefits of Chiropractic Care for Sports Injuries
While poor posture and muscle spasms are major concerns for athletes, chiropractic care may be the answer to relieving the pain associated with these issues. Chiropractic care is a non-invasive form of treatment that focuses on the musculoskeletal system, providing numerous benefits to athletes with sports injuries. Proponents of chiropractic care argue that this holistic approach provides relief from pain, rehabilitates injured muscles and joints faster, and aids in improving overall performance.
The most important benefit of chiropractic care for athletes is the reduction of pain associated with sports injuries. Chiropractors in our offices manipulate soft tissues and joints using different techniques such as joint manipulation, mobilization, and soft tissue treatments. Studies have shown that after these treatments, there is a significant improvement in neuromuscular pain, stiffness and joint range of motion for those suffering from sports injuries. This means that athletes can recover faster and return to their activities with less pain than before they received treatment.
Another key advantage in favor of chiropractic care over other treatments is its efficacy in helping athletes improve their overall performance. With improved muscle strength, flexibility, coordination, and balance resulting from proper spinal alignment, many athletes report improvements in their athleticism following a course of chiropractic care. Examples of these benefits include improved body mechanics, increased exertion capacity, and increased speed among others. In addition, addressing underlying structural causes for sports injuries such as poor posture or weak core muscles correction through chiropractic care can help prevent further injury recurrences.
Reduction in Pain and Improved Mobility
The main benefit of chiropractic care for sports injuries is a reduction in pain and improved mobility. Through the use of treatments such as manual adjustments, spinal decompression, massage therapy, and therapeutic exercises, many patients with sports-related injuries have experienced a decrease in their level of discomfort by decreasing inflammation and muscular spasms. This gives them an increased level of flexibility and range of motion – which often leads to improved performance on the field or court.
Furthermore, chiropractic care can help prevent any future injury through regular maintenance treatments. Many athletes find that regular chiropractic care helps strengthen their body’s immune system and improves flexibility – all critical components to maintaining peak physical performance while avoiding possible injury.
These same benefits can also be used to treat an existing injury; manual manipulations can reduce restrictions in joints or tissue, allowing for better movement and less pain overall. The result of this type of therapy is decreased inflammation and increased mobility in the injured area.
By addressing the root cause of an issue and implementing an individualized plan tailored to one’s needs, chiropractors are able to provide effective relief from pain without the use of medication or surgery. With this kind of innovative approach to sports injuries, many athletes can get back on the field quickly after suffering an injury – helping them stay active and pursue their passions with renewed energy.
As a result, it’s no surprise that many athletes increasingly turn towards chiropractic care for their sports-related injuries. From professional athletes to weekend warriors – everyone can enjoy the numerous benefits associated with this form of non-invasive treatment.
Types of Chiropractic Care Used for Sports Injuries
Chiropractors offer numerous forms of advanced therapies to provide relief for sports injuries. Many of these forms of treatment involve spinal manipulations, where the chiropractor applies a force to the injured area and adjusts the joint to restore movement and reduce pain. Chiropractic adjustments are commonly used to correct posture, restore range of motion, and reduce inflammation. Other therapies may involve soft tissue manipulation such as stretching and massage, or using devices such as electric stimulation or ultrasound.
Both manual and non-manual techniques can be beneficial for athletes looking for relief. A study published in The Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy tested the effects of various treatments on 18 athletes with neck pain due to an injury suffered during sports activities. Half were subjected to a single session of spinal manipulation while the other half received electrical stimulation treatment. Results showed that both treatments contributed to a significant reduction in pain and improved performance without any reported adverse events.
Conclusion
Evidence strongly supports the utilization of chiropractic care as a safe and effective treatment method for common sports injuries. From back pain and shoulder issues to knee discomfort and tendonitis, chiropractic care has the potential to provide substantial relief to athletes. Chiropractors offer various treatments, including spinal adjustments, soft tissue manipulation, and other therapies that aim to alleviate pain, improve mobility, and restore proper function.
Moreover, chiropractic care not only addresses the immediate discomfort but also aims to rectify the root cause of the issue, such as structural misalignment, poor posture or muscle spasms, reducing the likelihood of recurrent injuries. The importance of a comprehensive and holistic approach to injury prevention and recovery in sports cannot be understated. As a part of an athlete’s healthcare regimen, chiropractic care can significantly enhance athletic performance, expedite the recovery process, and bolster overall well-being. It is clear that whether for professional athletes or recreational sports enthusiasts, embracing chiropractic care can be a game-changing decision.
Contact a Chiropractor Today!
If you’re interested in seeing a chiropractor or getting a chiropractic adjustment, visit us at one of our offices in Erie or in Longmont. The Chiropractic Center of Erie and Chiropractic Center of Longmont treat the body holistically with our award-winning treatment process including Dry Needling when requested, in fact, we have been voted “Best of the West” eleven times and our aim is to help your body achieve and maintain optimal performance.
We specialize in treating patients suffering from spinal pain and many other maladies and have helped several patients find relief without the need for surgery. If you’d like to learn more about chiropractic care in Longmont or Erie or have questions about what to expect during your first chiropractor visit in Erie or Longmont, call our offices today at 303-828-3000 or 303-772-1950!
