Improving sports performance is important to all athletes. Many look for an edge. Some look for natural while others reach for performance enhancement drugs (PEDs) which are banned at competitive levels. Staying active is important to maintaining health and graceful aging. Our Freehold Chiropractor has been helping athletes of all levels over the last 17 years remain active and healthy.
Chiropractic is perfect in helping keep the body functioning optimally. Getting adjusted improves range of motion,
flexibility, strength and coordination. All of which are important to athletes. Most college, pro and olympic athletes take advantage of the natural edge this provides. Almost every MLB, NFL and NBA team has a chiropractor on staff. Chiropractors have been officially working with Olympic athletes since 1976 and the most recent London Olympics in 2012 had over 100 chiropractors for the US team.
So lets discuss 7 ways chiropractic improves sports performance naturally and legally.
Chiropractic Helps Reduce Sports Injuries
Chiropractic allows the joints and musculoskeletal system work in conjunction to reduce stress. The joints allow for motion and the muscle contractions move the joints. When a joint is moving properly, the joints don’t have to overwork or strain. One study of Australian football players was conducted in 2010. The players all received sports training but half of them also received chiropractic care. Those that received the chiropractic were less likely to experience lower limb muscle strains and missed less time due to due to non-contact knee injuries.
Chiropractic Reduces Low Back Pain
Back Pain is one of the most common problems suffered by people. It is also very common in athletes leading to missing games and disability. A study, Treatment Options for Low Back Pain in Athletes, shows chiropractic as the most evidence based supported treatment along with superficial heat compared to traditional medical treatments. NSAIDs and muscle relaxants are commonly recommended but just mask the symptoms and have severe side effects.
Chiropractic Helps Extremity Injuries
Many athletes experience injuries to their feet, knees, hips, shoulders, elbows and wrists. Some chiropractors work just on the spinal regions but sports chiropractors also work on the extremities. Sports performance improves when the extremities are corrected.
Ankle injuries are very common in athletes. Usually once injured, recurrent ankle sprains are common. A study of ankle sprains compared athletes receiving only rehab to another group that also received chiropractic adjustments. The chiropractic group showed quicker reduction of pain and improvement in joint motion. This is important in reducing inflammation and speeding up recovery for an athlete to get back to action.
Chiropractic Improves Performance
Speed, reaction time, jumping, coordination are all important to help an athlete perform at their best.
One particular study showed improvement in vertical jump height. 22 female handball players were split into a chiropractic treatment group and a control group. By improving talocrural joint dysfunction with chiropractic adjustments there was a noticeable improvement compared to the other group.
Do you think athletes would like to be stronger? When you get adjusted it removes interference to the nervous system. This allows your body to function at its best. Those nerves innervate every muscle in your body. If the nerves have pressure on them, there can be decrease in strength. A study of 18 Judo Athletes compared results of half of them receiving chiropractic adjustments and the others receiving sham treatment. Results showed those receiving chiropractic treatment had improved grip strengths.
Chiropractic Benefits Runners
Chiropractic helps the biomechanics of the body which improves sports performance. When there are imbalances in the legs, there are differences in strength and range of motion. One study was The Effect of Spinal Manipulation on Imbalances in Leg Strength. The runners under chiropractic care had increased hip extension and improved joint function as well as more balanced strength in their legs.
Another study in Canada included chiropractic care as part of the rehab program of 16 injured female long-distance runners. Now only did the runners recover more quickly but seven of them actually had their personal best times while under care, although other contributing factors could have helped.
Chiropractic And Golf
Hip and back pain are common in golfers. Golf swings are a repetitive motion which put added stress on the hips, lower back joints and discs.
A case study of a 49 year old golfer was in therapeutic treatment which included chiropractic care. She was suffering with osteoarthritis for 5 years. During the 6th treatment she reported her left hip being much better and by the 8th visit both hips were feeling good. After 6 months she reported no more pain.
An Article in Dynamic Chiropractic, Golf and Chiropractic, discusses golf swing myths and chiropractic intervention.
Chiropractic Is Non-invasive and Drug Free
Athletes like the fact that chiropractic addresses the cause of their problems to improve sports performance. There is no taking medications that mask the symptoms. There are no side effects. Athletes are able to recover more quickly and many times avoid surgeries which at times require long recovery periods. Some chiropractors utilize soft tissue techniques like Graston or FAKTR to break up scar tissue, therapeutic stretching and nutrition to help athletes recover, be more healthy and excel.
There is growing evidence of the safety and effectiveness of chiropractic care for everybody, not just athletes. Would you like to improve your sports performance or recover more quickly from an injury without drugs or surgery? Our top rated Freehold chiropractor can get you back on track! Give us a call at 732-780-0044.