Chiropractic Care and sports Injuries

Whether you are a professional athlete or a weekend warrior, there's no question you aim to improve your skills and push the boundaries of athleticism. As the science of sport increases, so do our performances. Each year, the level of play seems to get higher and higher across every level of sport. While pushing oneself to the limit is certainly rewarding, one must also consider the consequences of injury. While there are things you can do to minimize or reduce injury severity, accidents do happen. The manner in which the injury is treated is critical in getting back on the playing field or inside the gymnasium as quickly as possible.

First and foremost, it is important to warm-up before playing any sport. While "warming up" includes stretching, it is imperative to note that the latest research suggests that stretching first — that is, before the muscles have been warmed by light activity — actually REDUCES ability AND increases the chance of injury! Stretching after activity and during cool down is currently recommended. While this seems obvious, it's amazing how many athletes avoid stretching after exercising. Most injuries are caused by athletes pushing themselves too far, too fast.

Sports injuries are no different than real-life injuries. Both athletes and non-athletes alike may overlook the value of warming up for a game — or an everyday household activity. The warm-up cycle does not happen in a matter of a few minutes. In reality, warming the body can take between 10 and 15 minutes of light activity before the body is truly ready to go full speed.

Five Doctors of Chiropractic were on call for the United States Olympic Team during the 2010 Vancouver Olympics. But you don’t have to be an Olympic athlete to benefit from chiropractic care. If you have been hurt on the playing field, or during an everyday activity, chiropractic care can be an excellent method of treating your injury. With the combination of manipulation (to return vertebra and other joints to their normal range of motion) and physiotherapy (to assist the supporting muscles, ligaments, and tendons), your Doctor of Chiropractic can provide especially effective treatment. Rest is likewise necessary. The human body requires time to heal and, when rest is combined with chiropractic treatment, your recovery time can be minimized.

Once you are back on the field or on the court, it is important to learn from past mistakes. Consult your chiropractor to learn more about properly warming-up and cooling down the body — precautions that will keep you from reinjuring yourself! More and more, professional athletes are utilizing Doctors of Chiropractic to increase their performance and limit their down-time due to injuries. Your chiropractor is well equipped to look at the body in its entirety, and to provide proactive training measures for athletes of all levels. Regular chiropractic adjustments allow the body to heal from the breakdowns which can occur as a result of athletics. As the "brains" of the body, the nervous system needs a clear pathway in which to deliver signals from the brain; chiropractic adjustments allow the body to just that.

Your chiropractor can also evaluate your diet and recommend changes which can keep your energy levels up. Diet and nutrition are critical elements of your athletic performance, and should not be overlooked. Think of your body as being a finely tuned car — isn't it critical to put the correct fuel into it? Physical activity quickly burns the body's fuel; lack of fuel means that the well-oiled machine that is your body will run out of energy very quickly. Most chiropractors are trained in proper diet and nutrition, and can provide the right strategy for your dietary success.

Enjoy your sporting activities — and your active lifestyle in general — and keep pushing yourself to the limit. Athletics are great for the mind, body, and soul. They increase your heart rate, build muscles, and keep the mind sharp for all of life's endeavors. Just make sure you follow through on all of the necessary steps required before you take the field — and don't forget to enlist the help of your chiropractor. With the right steps in place, you will excel in your sport and be able to spend more time enjoying it!