It doesn’t matter if you are a professional athlete, high school athlete, or weekend warrior. Sports injuries can happen to anyone. Common causes of sports injuries include overuse, direct impact, and forceful impact. The injury can either be acute or chronic.
When it comes to a sports injury, your chiropractor is an important part of your care team. You should see your regular medical doctor as well so that more severe injuries can be ruled out.
Sports injuries are most commonly caused by either poor training, using improper equipment, a lack of conditioning, or starting to exercise or play your sport without a proper warmup. Chiropractic care will not only help you heal from a new or existing sports injury but it can also help you prevent future sports injuries.
The effect that chiropractic care has had on the world of sports can be seen in the fact that Olympic Teams from every nation have a full-time chiropractor on staff.
What you can expect from treatment for your sports injury
Before you see your chiropractor for a sports injury, you should consult your physician so that more serious injuries can be ruled out.
When you first go to your chiropractor following your sports injury, you will receive a very careful examination of both your musculoskeletal and neurological systems. This might be followed by x-rays, or if you have already had x-rays taken, make sure that you bring them with you to your appointment.
Once you have been examined and your chiropractor has looked at your x-rays, she will assess the condition of the joint or area in question. If it is your neck or back that are affected, she will assess the subluxation of your vertebrae. Once she knows the extent of your injury, she will be able to present you with a treatment plan.
What sports injuries can be treated with chiropractic care?
There are a number of different sports injuries. Among those most commonly addressed through chiropractic treatment are:
- Sprains and strains
- Shin splints
- Soft Tissue Injuries
- Back pain
- Neck pain
- Shoulder pain
- Knee pain
- Tennis Elbow
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Plantar Fasciitis
- Achilles Tendon injuries
What are the benefits to treating sports injuries with chiropractic care?
- Decreased inflammation
- Decreased pain
- Increased mobility
- Stronger joints
- Less need for medications that can be toxic to you
- Shorter recovery time
FAQ's
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ACUTE INJURY AND CHRONIC INJURY?
An acute injury is one where you experience sudden pain, tenderness, weakness, and swelling. You may not be able to put weight on the area that is injured. You might even be able to see the dislocation.
A chronic injury is when you experience regular pain while you are active that becomes a dull ache when you are at rest. You may experience frequent swelling in the area. The pain from a chronic injury just never seems to go away.
HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE ME TO HEAL?
It depends on the extent of your injuries, the type of injury, and your general physical condition before the injury. Time to heal varies from patient to patient.
HOW CAN I PREVENT FUTURE SPORTS INJURIES?
You can prevent future sports injuries by making sure you warm up before you begin playing your sport, making sure you have the right equipment and don’t try to do activities that you are not prepared for. Trying to advance your abilities faster than you are ready to is a recipe for disaster. Probably the most important thing is to make sure that you stretch out a lot. This can help prepare your muscles for participating in your sport.