Health Issues and Injuries Specific to Athletes
To gain health benefits, it is recommended to practice a sport or physical activity regularly: Health Canada suggests moving at least two and a half hours per week. In chiropractic clinics, many categories of active people consult for mild, moderate, and severe injuries. Young and old, amateurs and professionals can benefit from chiropractic care for athletes. Thanks to their training, knowledge, and skills, chiropractors can diagnose and provide necessary treatments primarily aimed at reducing pain and inflammation.
Among the injuries treated by chiropractic are knee, ankle, back, and elbow injuries (tennis elbow), tendinitis, bursitis, and other joint and musculoskeletal conditions. All these injuries can be very painful if untreated. For example, a back pain such as a lumbar sprain, if left untreated, can cause intense, sharp pain lasting days or even weeks. Anyone suffering from such an injury cannot continue sports activities because the slightest flexion or rotation can trigger unbearable pain. Chiropractic adjustments help control inflammation and reduce pain, often quickly and without medication. The same applies to all injuries related to sports or physical activity. The chiropractor evaluates, diagnoses, and treats injuries for optimal healing tailored to the condition.
Are There Any Contraindications to Chiropractic Treatments?
Consulting a chiropractor is recommended to assess pain, even if a possible fracture is suspected. Chiropractors can diagnose fractures using x-rays and refer to a physician if necessary. For athletes, chiropractic care is generally without contraindications, except in cases of fracture, dislocated vertebra, or spinal tumor.
Benefits of Chiropractic Care for Athletes
Chiropractic care for athletes offers numerous benefits. First, treatments target directly the affected area to relieve pain and reduce inflammation effectively and, above all, quickly. No waiting for a doctor’s appointment or emergency room visit! Chiropractic can be an alternative to medication, injections, and sometimes even surgery. Chiropractic treatments relieve muscle tension to improve continuous, lasting body mobility. Thanks to chiropractic care, it is often possible to resume practicing one’s favorite sport as soon as possible.
That’s not all. Chiropractic care for athletes is proactive; it can effectively prevent musculoskeletal injuries and trauma. How? Chiropractic adjustments act on the nervous system, partly responsible for the body’s movements, reactions, and sensations. Thus, by integrating regular chiropractic care into training routines, it is possible to significantly improve functions such as balance and range of motion while reducing mechanisms that lead to injuries. Furthermore, treatments correct posture and increase flexibility. Because the body functions better, it becomes more enduring, less prone to injury, and able to heal much faster if necessary.
Chiropractic Treatments Offered for Athletes
Studies have shown that chiropractic care for athletes can enhance performance and prevent injuries. Notably, world-renowned athletes such as Sidney Crosby, Tiger Woods, and Michael Jordan, to name a few, have long enjoyed the benefits of chiropractic care. Did you know that Canadian freestyle skier Michael Kingsbury was the spokesperson for the Quebec Chiropractors Association? Undoubtedly, chiropractic care for active people has proven its effectiveness.
So, what treatments can help elite athletes and amateur sportspeople? Spinal adjustments are usually part of personalized treatment plans to properly realign the musculoskeletal system. These adjustments aim to improve movement coordination and balance. They increase reaction speed and optimize flexibility, essential qualities in athletes. Moreover, the chiropractor can use other therapeutic tools to maximize performance levels and reduce injury risks. For example, they might recommend preventive strengthening exercises, posture-improving movements, or complementary therapies like ultrasound, joint mobilizations, electrotherapy, and more. Of course, at each chiropractic session, amateur and professional athletes can receive advice and recommendations tailored to their needs and conditions so they can reach their full potential during training and competitions.
How to Prepare Properly for Chiropractic Treatments for Athletes
At the first visit, the chiropractor conducts a clinical interview to understand the reasons for consultation, current and past general health, family and medical history, etc. They ask to describe all practiced activities and question the athlete about their injury’s origin. When possible, it is advisable to bring results from previous exams (x-rays or medical consultations) so the chiropractor can determine which additional tests will aid diagnosis. Then, the chiropractor observes posture and performs orthopedic, neurological, and joint assessments, followed by radiology if necessary. It is after these steps that the chiropractor can recommend a care program tailored for athletes.
The chiropractic approach reserved for athletes and active people includes special care to treat acute pain caused by injury as well as a rehabilitation program to improve overall health and sports performance. The chiropractor may suggest preventive chiropractic care to athletes who want an effective solution to improve their performance and recovery capacity following training and competitions. To enhance the benefits of treatments, it is not uncommon to recommend a combination of therapies, for example, therapeutic massage and physiotherapy. After a chiropractic session, one might feel revitalized because muscle tension is reduced, or tired from the treatment. In any case, it is advisable to seek the chiropractor’s advice before resuming regular sports activities.
Chiropractic Care Serving Health and Well-being
Chiropractic treatments can help athletes and active individuals reduce and eliminate pain as well as heal and recover faster from injuries. Chiropractors also offer specific care that improves sports performance and recovery time after training or competitions while reducing injury risks, but chiropractic is also dedicated to the health and well-being of everyone. In this regard, anyone can benefit from chiropractic care for all. Likewise, there are related treatments for chiropractic care for seniors and chiropractic care for pregnant women. To put an end to pain and regain quality of life, contact a ChiroRéseau chiropractic center today.