Should I See a Chiropractor for a Sports Injury?

From professional swimmers to AFL superstars, many professional athletes incorporate chiropractic care into their routines. All AFL teams and most NRL teams have a full-time sports chiropractor provider on staff. Sports chiropractors are employed to work at the Olympics. Not only is chiropractic care able to provide care for sports injuries but is also a valuable tool in prevent injury from occurring and preparing for optimum function in sports.

One of the main components in contribution of success of any athlete is maintaining flexibility. Whether it is running, throwing, catching, swinging a baseball bat, tennis racket or golf club, all sport movements require the joints to work smoothly and in unison for optimum and peak performance. Without proper movement, this can result in joint dysfunction and inflammation which eventually leads to injuries. Sports chiropractors addressing stretching techniques and help guide athletes on proper care, such as furnishing instructions on appropriate equipment selection, especially shoes, and knowing when to put laser, strapping, heat or ice on an injury.

Do Professional Athletes Use Chiropractic Care?

For many years now, professional athletes have been using chiropractic care to maintain their ability to perform at the top of their game. Let’s take a look at some high-profile examples. Joe Montana (3-Time Super Bowl MVP, 4-Time Super Bowl Champion, and played the quarterback position for the San Francisco 49ers) made history at Super Bowl XXIV when he received a chiropractic adjustment before the game in front of a television audience of 90 million viewers.

Benefits of Chiropractic care for Athletes and Sports persons.

In any sport, certain parts of the body are at risk of injury in one way or another. In the case of uninterrupted communication and messaging between the brain and the rest of the body, the body heals quickly enough. Various misalignments in the back disrupt this interaction. As part of an injury rehabilitation plan, chiropractic treatments can significantly speed up recovery. Regular chiropractic care may also prevent injuries in the future.

Sports chiropractors understand the anatomical and physiological responses of the body. They know which techniques to apply to treat certain types of injuries. For example:

• To enhance joint mobility, chiropractors may preform adjustments of specific joints.
• To provide muscular rehabilitation, a specialist may use soft tissue techniques.
• To help reduce pain and inflammation, a chiropractor may prescribe electrotherapy, dry needling and cold laser therapy.

1. Relieve Pain
   There is no denying that playing sports and living an athletic lifestyle can take a toll on the body. Chiropractic treatments can undo this damage and leave the body free from pain. The human spine connects too many nerves, discs, muscles, and ligaments. If it's not aligned in the right way, it can place strain and stress on these tissues. Professional adjustments to the spine relieve strain, along with the pain it causes.
2. Reduced Back Pain
   Athletes often experience back pain caused by spinal misalignments. To ease back pain, you may want to seek the advice from a professional chiropractor. The spinal manipulation aims to restore the proper alignment. It may help you get the desired back pain relief. And the exercises recommended by a specialist sport chiropractor may prevent back pain from reoccurring.
   Some non-invasive technique used by chiropractor are:
   - Chiropractic extremity adjustments
   - Soft tissue release techniques
   - Upper cervical and spinal specific chiropractic
   - Strapping
   - Drops and blocks to realigned and unlock pelvis
   - Posture corrective devices
   - Traction
   - Cross friction for tendons
3. Improve Mobility, Performance, and Coordination
   Proper balance and coordination are vital in sports. It would be impossible to run, hit the ball, or throw it into the basket without them. Misalignments in your spine can impede your balance and coordination, sometimes provoking dizziness and gait disturbances. Restoring the proper alignment chiropractic treatment may increase sports performance. It is likely to improve the communication between the nervous system and other body parts, helping restore optimal balance and coordination.

Athletes who regularly get treated by a chiropractor have a competitive edge. Spinal adjustments and other techniques ensure that your bones are aligned, relieving tension in the body and allowing it to perform better. Here in Lakeside Chiropractic, our sports chiropractors can also relieve pain, improve range of motion, and help prevent injuries of the back, neck, shoulders, knees, and ankles. If you experience any symptoms, feel free on call us on 9300 0095 to book in for an appointment or visit our website at www.lakesidechiro.com.au for more details.