Chiropractic care is often overlooked when an athlete is searching for a way to enhance
their performance or treat or prevent injuries because they think that it won’t be effective or that
chiropractors only work on the back and neck. However, chiropractic care is actually a great
resource for athletes and can benefit them in more ways than just one. Whether you are a pro
player or just play for fun, chiropractic care may benefit you.
As a chiropractor adjusts the body, numerous cracks and pops can often be heard that
provide some relief to the patient. This “popping” is beneficial because what is happening is
once the joint gap is opened up (cracked), there is a release of a lubricating substance called
synovial fluid which re-lubricates the joint surfaces and helps to restore normal motion. This
adjustment of the bones also helps to put the muscles and joints back into their original positions
for optimal performance. Many people enjoy chiropractic adjustments because the cracking and
popping relieves a lot of pressure, improves blood flow and allows the release of endorphins
which help control pain.
As the pain subsides and the body begins to move normally again, the adjustments will
start helping with flexibility and mobility. As an athlete, we all know that these are very
important for performing our best. When a chiropractor aligns the spine back into place, this
allows for more movement of the trunk and therefore more flexibility. This is because of the
increase in blood flow which carries more nutrients and oxygen to the vital organs and the brain.
When a person has more flexibility, they can move around better.
Chiropractic care is not only good for when the injury has already occurred, it is also
widely used for prevention of injury as well. Since chiropractic care keeps the body flexible, the
risk of injury is much lower. There is less chance of pulling a muscle or hyperextending a joint.
In addition, even if there is an injury, chiropractic care helps those injuries heal faster. For many
years this type of care has been known to be used to treat tennis elbow, back strains, rotator cuff
injuries, and so much more. By increasing blood flow, re-lubricating the joint surfaces, and
putting everything back in place, the body has the tools to heal the injuries more quickly and get
you back in the game faster.
As one chiropractor once told me, “if you have a spine, you need a chiropractor,” and I
have never found that statement more true. As an athlete, you are constantly putting wear and
tear on your body and joints, and within time this may cause pain, discomfort, decrease in
flexibility, headaches, and more severe injuries that require medical care. Making sure you keep
your body aligned is the best way to keep it working normally because just one piece out of line
can put the whole body out of line. So why keep dealing with the pain? Call and make your
consultation appointment today!