The common injuries suffered in many sports can cause the spine to become out of alignment, causing stress on its pain-sensitive joints, muscles, nerves, discs and ligaments. In study after study, chiropractic care outperforms other medical options at reducing pain and restoring normal function. By focusing on the relationship between the body's structure (mainly the spine) and its function, chiropractors can help alleviate pain, improve mobility, and promote healing.
Here are four ways regular chiropractic visits can help you stay at the top of your game:
Improved performance. A misaligned spine can interfere with the functions of all other systems, causing athletic performance to suffer. Regular adjustments keep the spine working smoothly, which in turn boosts the body’s overall performance. In one study, athletes showed a 6.12% performance increase after receiving chiropractic treatment. Another study found a 30% improvement in eye to hand coordination after 12 weeks of chiropractic care! Imagine having a 30% increase in batting average in baseball or completing 30% more passes in football.
More effective training. Many athletes also find that chiropractic care helps them train more effectively. In one study, 100% of runners with joint problems were able to maintain—and in many cases increase—their training mileage. More than three-quarters of athletic trainers refer their players to a chiropractor, while all of them report that some of their clients seek chiropractic treatment on their own.
Fewer injuries. Alignment issues cause unnecessary stress on the body and can often lead to injury. Chiropractic adjustments can keep the musculoskeletal system humming along smoothly so the body is less prone to injury. For example, chiropractors help golfers correct postural imbalances in their swing that could lead to injury.
Reduced recovery times. By relieving the irritation between misaligned vertebrae, chiropractic treatment helps minimize the healing time required from injuries. One research team found chiropractic care helped a group of injured long-distance runners recover quickly. Chiropractors use several techniques to promote rapid healing, including:
Massage and stretching, combined with range-of-motion movement
Stainless steel tools used to break down scar tissue
Functional dry needling to release deep muscle tension
Electrical muscle stimulation to release tension near the surface
Chiropractic care helps athletes at all levels achieve optimal performance. That’s why so many athletes—from professional sports teams to high school players—regularly see a chiropractor to stay in top shape.
Excerpted from an article by Palmer College of Chiropractic