Injury Prevention and Recovery

Injury prevention and faster recovery are two of the biggest benefits of chiropractic care for athletes. Regular visits to the chiropractor can help athletes identify potential weaknesses or areas of vulnerability before an injury occurs.

However, if an athlete does suffer an injury, studies show recovery is quicker with chiropractic care. In a brain-body connection that functions properly, the body is able to heal itself faster and more efficiently. By addressing misalignments, chiropractic care dramatically reduces recovery time post-treatment.

Improved Performance

Chiropractic adjustments can also improve athletic performance by improving range-of-motion issues that may be limiting an athlete’s ability to train effectively or compete at the higher levels.

A professional golfer, for instance, uses chiropractic care to improve his or her swing mechanics and increase flexibility. Professional runners have reported improved agility after receiving regular adjustments. These improvements result in improved performance, whether on the fairway or track.

A 1991 study compared 50 athletes, half were under chiropractic care and half were not. The tests were done before and after the study period, and included assessments for balance, agility, response time, and more. The athletes under chiropractic care showed a significant improvement in every single test, whereas the control group showed only minor improvements in some of the tests.

Mental Health Benefits

Chiropractic care can also yield mental health benefits. That’s because regular spinal adjustments have been shown to reduce stress levels while increasing alertness and clarity of thought—all important factors for any athlete looking to stay on top of their game mentally as well as physically.

Reducing Chronic Inflammation

While many medical professionals use medication for relief of pain and inflammation, chiropractic care targets some of the root causes. Not all inflammation is bad. Our body uses acute inflammation as a means of healing. However, when chronic inflammation affects the body, a chain reaction of negative events can occur (swelling, pain, and injury).

By restoring proper spinal alignment and joint function through chiropractic care, swelling can decrease and healing takes place. This enables the body to function optimally, especially when partnered with good nutrition, adequate water intake, and an appropriate balance of rest and activity. As athletes, this combination is vital for success.

How Chiropractors Can Treat Athletes With Sport Injuries:

Sports injuries are fairly common among athletes and include everything from a sprain to dislocations and fractures. At Couve Health our Doctors of Chiropractic collaborate with our team of specialists to properly diagnose an injury so that we can customize a treatment plan that will best support your body’s healing process. We look at neuromuscular irregularities, spinal alignment, and joint function to determine the underlying cause of pain so the proper treatment is provided. Through spinal manipulations, traction therapy, temporary bracing, specific exercises, and heat/cold therapies we can help your body recover from a sports injury.

If you are suffering from a sports injury or if you want to enhance your performance we are here to help.