In sports, performance is everything. Regardless of whether you’re a pro football player or a weekend warrior, your level of performance in your chosen athletic activity is what takes you to competitive heights.
There are certain things that every athlete knows will make them stronger, faster, more flexible, and have more stamina. Chiropractic care is becoming increasingly popular as a way for the sportsman in all of us to have that competitive edge. Our own Dr. Caulfield became a chiropractor after spending years as a wrestler who benefitted from chiropractic care.
You may know that chiropractic is great for people with back pain or even headaches, but you may be wondering how it can help an athlete.
Increased flexibility
Flexibility is important for nearly every sport and chiropractic care helps to increase flexibility throughout the body. As the spine is aligned, the body is better able to perform as it should and flexibility is a big part of that.
Better mobility
When a person has better flexibility they are able to move around better. Chiropractic loosens the joints and spine, releasing energy to flow through the body. Blood flow is increased which means that nutrients and oxygen are carries much more efficiently to the vital organs and brain. This whole body wellness encourages better mobility.
More resistance to injury
Because chiropractic keeps the body flexible, there is a much lower risk of injury. Tight muscles can lead to injuries, some of which can be serious. When the body well aligned and flexible the chances of a pulled or torn muscle or torn ligament are greatly decreased.
Help relieve sports hernias
Groin pain is a component of around 20 percent of all sports injuries. The thing is, it is often not due to sudden movements that result in injury like a torn muscle. Most of the time is it due to a condition called athletic pubalgia, or sports hernia.
One study found that chiropractic helped relieve sports hernia discomfort in soccer players. They underwent eight weeks of a therapy that incorporated rehabilitation exercises and chiropractic care.
Relieve pain
Sports like hockey and football are full contact sports and injuries are not uncommon. However, even milder sports like horseback riding or cycling can also result in injuries or pain from over exertion.
Chiropractic aligns the spine and body while increasing blood flow, but endorphins are also released through the treatment. This helps the body combat pain in a natural, less invasive way without the use of medications.
Increased strength
While chiropractic care is typically regarded as a method for relieving pain and alleviating skeletal and muscular issues, it has also been found to improve physical strength. A study on judo athletes who received just three chiropractic care sessions showed that their grip strength improved by 16 percent.
Helps sports related injuries heal faster
Chiropractic care has long been aiding many sports related injuries including tennis elbow, hamstring pulls, rotator cuff injuries, back strains, and neck pain.
Surrey Family Chiropractic & Massage has helped many active people do what they love, and we can help you too.