Sports injuries are an inevitable occurrence for many competitive athletes as a result of the many days and hours they dedicate to physical activity. An athletic mindset that pushes the body to its limits is valuable and often necessary for winning competitions or the big game but can also put you at increased risk of injury. Many of the most common sports-related injuries are treatable with the support of a professional sports injury chiropractor.
A highly qualified and experienced sports injury chiropractor can allow athletes to speed up their recovery, reduce pain, and get back in the game sooner rather than later. Many professional athletes receive chiropractic care regularly and see improvements to overall mobility and flexibility as a result. However, for many athletes, the benefits of chiropractic care are not something they’ve considered before.
The common stereotype regarding chiropractors is that it’s only an option for individuals experiencing back pain. A full-service chiropractor can assist with various sports injuries that are not related to the back or spine. A chiropractor may also offer services such as acupuncture, massage therapy, and injury rehabilitation- all of which are useful when recovering from a sports injury.
What Is Chiropractic Care?
Chiropractic care is a non-surgical treatment option for individuals experiencing pain in any joints or muscles throughout their system. Chiropractic care is often referred to as adjustment, in reference to small and carefully controlled adjustments around the muscles or ligaments in the affected area. This process assists with reducing pain and relaxing the nerves or muscles in this area to aid recovery. This form of care treats the musculoskeletal system and works particularly well alongside massage, acupuncture, or physical therapy treatments.
Care from an experienced and highly qualified chiropractor uses the adjustment process to improve mobility and available range of motion. These improvements are essential for athletes looking to get back into the game quickly and stay competitive. Chiropractic care prioritizes comfort in treatment and an immediate reduction in pain, which eases the recovery process. For many athletes, visiting a chiropractor is an absolute necessity when dealing with a common sports injury.
What Sports Injuries Can a Chiropractor Help Treat?
Chiropractic care is not limited to any particular part of your body, which means more injuries are treatable with chiropractic care than you might initially think. A chiropractor can assist athletes with staying out of surgery in the event of an injury. Here are five common sports injuries treatable with chiropractic assistance.
Knee Injuries
Knee injuries are frequent in many sports and should be treated immediately with the RICE method- Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevate. There are many connected joints and ligaments in the knee area, making it a frequent point of injury in many sports. Non-surgical treatment with a chiropractor is an option for most knee injuries, though direct medical treatment is necessary for fractures and other severe injuries. You can learn more about common knee injuries here.
Sprains
Sprains refer to a twisted or stretched ligament in the area around a joint that most commonly occur in the ankle and wrist. Sprains are often particularly painful in sports, given the extent of an athlete’s exertion at the time of injury. A chiropractor can help reduce the pain and swelling that occur in response to this injury.
Muscle Strains
For severe muscle strains, you may want to visit a chiropractor to reduce pain and lower recovery time. Not every pulled muscle requires a chiropractor for treatment- use the RICE method as mentioned above to rest, ice, compress, and elevate the affected area. Read this article on muscle strains for more treatment advice.
Whiplash
In contact sports such as football and hockey, the impact between players may lead to whiplash or cause pain in and around the neck. A chiropractor can provide pain relief and physical therapy for athletes dealing with the symptoms and injuries generated from a sports-related collision.
Pinched Nerves
A pinched nerve is a common injury treated by chiropractors that is less specific to sports. The pain caused by a pinched nerve is often severe, though the cause of the pain may not be immediately apparent. A chiropractor will provide individuals suffering from a pinched nerve a professional evaluation of the musculoskeletal system surrounding the nerve to identify the causes or related nearby injuries.
Why are Chiropractors Important for Athletes?
Chiropractic medicine offers a few significant benefits for athletes beyond a reduction in pain. Treatment is non-invasive and can improve overall health after a single visit. A high-quality and experienced chiropractor will identify the specific aspects of an injury that cause pain and customize treatment based on the patient’s unique needs. A full-service chiropractor typically offers several beneficial services for athletes beyond adjustments. Physical therapy is a popular addition to chiropractic care that assists with recovery time and can help get you back in the game sooner rather than later.
Athletes that visit a chiropractor on a regular basis often experience a decrease in the need for prescription drugs during treatment. Continued visits to a chiropractor during a period away from sports even restore personal health beyond pre-injury levels.
Conclusion– What Does a Sports Injury Chiropractor Do?
A sports injury chiropractor can assist athletes with recovering from various injuries- not just those related to the back, spine, and neck. There are a few factors to consider when looking for the chiropractor that best suits your needs. First, review the experience and reviews of the chiropractor’s office. Many chiropractors that don’t advertise for assistance with sports injuries can still offer help and pain relief.
Next, consider the other services available alongside adjustments. Does the chiropractor or their office offer services such as physical therapy or acupuncture? A full-service chiropractor is often the best option for recovering from a sports injury, minimizing pain, and reducing time spent in recovery.
