Doctors and personal trainers treat injuries when they happen and keep athletes playing at peak performance. Massage therapists are standard, as are perks such as Jacuzzi and steam rooms for relaxation. Another key player, one of the most important in terms of athletic performance is the chiropractor.
If you look at professional football, baseball, basketball and hockey teams, you’ll find that most keep at least one chiropractor on staff at all times. High-level performers in individual sports, such as tennis and golf, also have close relationships with chiropractors.
Why? Because chiropractic treatments feel good after a tough game or match, like hot tub jets or a Swedish massage, but they serve a deeper purpose in terms of health, wellness and athletic performance. Explore the actual practice of chiropractics and what it does – Chiropractic treatment aims to correct spinal imbalances which, left untreated, can result in wide-ranging symptoms, including:
- Limited range of motion
- Stiffness and soreness
- Nerve damage
- Musculoskeletal disorders that significantly impair performance
While medical research is still catching up to the true value of chiropractics, professional athletic teams understand the benefits very well. When the spine is jarred out of alignment, whether from digging a golf club into the ground or taking a hard hit on the football field, a domino effect can occur. The athlete may not even notice the problem right away, but the spinal misalignment begins to create subtle nervous effects and disorders, affecting health and performance. The longer these spinal imbalances are allowed to go on, the more elaborate the side effects become.
Chiropractic care has also been known to deliver the following benefits to pro athletes:
- Decreased intensity and frequency of headaches
- A general decrease in neck and shoulder pain common to high level performers
- Fewer injuries the ankles and other key joints
- Faster and more complete recovery from injuries
- Enhanced feelings of optimum wellness and performance
Why chiropractics is for everybody — not just pro athletes
Many of the finest athletes are convinced that chiropractic care is pivotal to their success. Golf prodigy Jordan Spieth, in his first major title win, went out of his way to thank his chiropractor personally in his victory speech – and there are many other examples.
The truth is that chiropractic care holds the same promise for virtually everyone. Whether you’re a pro athlete, a casual sports enthusiast, or simply someone with a stressful job or home life, visiting a qualified chiropractor can correct imbalances in your spinal column which build up over time and lead an array of health problems. It’s a natural, drug-free, and non-invasive way to boost health and wellness, both on the field and in daily life.
If You Play Any of These Sports, You Might Benefit from Chiropractic Care
Playing sports is one of the healthiest, most exciting ways to stay active during Summer—or any season, for that matter. Just ask the large percentage of people worldwide who play at least one sport on a regular basis—they’ll tell you about the physical, mental and often social benefits of taking up a sport, whether it involves playing by yourself or engaging in friendly competition with others. Sports are a great way to take the monotony out of exercising, stay in great shape, and challenge ourselves to excel in other areas of life.
Unfortunately, sports are also a common way to get injured. Sometimes the injury is sudden and obvious, as in a sprained ankle. In other cases, physical stress can build up over time and lead to chronic symptoms or ailments. Either way, many sports enthusiasts are looking for ways to relieve symptoms, increase circulation, and restore the body—both to fell better, and to achieve better results in workouts and sports performance.
Chiropractic care is an area of sports therapy from which many people benefit every year—but it’s also an area that many people never really consider. Many professional sports teams and elite athletes have a highly qualified chiropractor on staff, and it’s obvious there is a strong benefit at high levels of competition. But does the ordinary athlete really need care from a qualified chiropractor? Would the benefits be worthwhile?
The answer is often yes—however, it may depend on what sport you play. People who play the following sports are found more commonly in chiropractic offices.
Baseball, Tennis and Golf
All of these sports require high velocity mechanics of the arm, elbow and spine in order to optimize performance. This repetition can (and does) often lead to misalignments and problems in the spine. Over time, these problems can limit range of motion, which has real effects on both performance and health. Chiropractic care can help athletes stay ahead of these problems by correcting the spine and focusing on overall wellness.
Hockey, Football and Rugby
Contact sports like these have a strong tendency to leave athletes injured or strained. The wrong type of collision can have lasting effects on physical health, to say nothing of performance on the field or rink. Chiropractic care represents a holistic approach to staying healthy and aligned, whether it’s competition or recreational play.
Volleyball, Track & Field, and Soccer
These sports involve a high amount of energy, speed and effort. Often times, the body sustains subtle or obvious stresses during competition. It might not be obvious at first, but these stresses can build up and led to chronic problems in the spine and neck. Chiropractic adjustments, administered by a qualified care professional, can stop small problems from becoming big ones for volleyballers, runners, hurdlers and soccer players.
Countless Benefits of Chiropractic Care
Athletes who play these sports are more likely to report meaningful relief and tangible benefits as a result of expert chiropractic care. Often times, a care center will offer other services such as massage therapy in addition to chiropractics, providing a more holistic approach to overall physical health. Statistics show that it doesn’t matter if athletes casual, amateur, or even professional—chiropractic care has lasting benefits.