Prep Lacrosse and Chiropractic: As Easy as Cherry Picking
Reviewed by: Dr. Steven Knauf, D.C.
By: Paul Rothbart
Lacrosse is an action-packed contact sport that happens to be the oldest organized sport in North America. Indigenous people began playing in the 12th century.
Today, colleges and high schools across the country field lacrosse teams for both men and women. There are now three professional leagues, including one for women. Lacrosse has made a few appearances as a demonstration sport in the Olympics. Fans won’t see it in this year’s Paris Games, but men’s and women’s lacrosse will be played at the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles. It will feature a variation called “sixes”, with six players on each side, making for a faster and more exciting game. Olympic lacrosse is sure to boost the sport’s popularity to a higher level.
How popular is high school lacrosse?
Lacrosse has exploded in popularity over the last decade, especially in high schools. In the 2022-23 school year, more than 111,000 boys and 209,000 girls represented their school on lacrosse teams.
The sport does not require specific physical attributes, such as being tall or having a large frame, to play or excel. It’s a fun game that challenges athletes. There is physical contact, but it’s not anything like football or hockey; the physicality is similar to soccer or basketball.
Extracurricular activities such as sports can be helpful to high school students, and lacrosse provides an option for those who might not be up to other sports. Lacrosse players are as competitive as any other athletes, and the sport has its physical demands.
What physical demands are unique to lacrosse?
Playing lacrosse isn’t just about skill with a stick; it's a full-body workout demanding top-tier fitness. Speed, agility, strength, power, and endurance all play critical roles in a player's success on the field.
But let’s face it—running back and forth can be tough on the lower body. Ankles, knees, hips, and legs all take a beating. Then there's the core and arms, which bear the brunt of the passing and shooting motions, often leading to significant stress and strain.
And let's not forget the physical contact. With all the bumps and bruises, it’s no wonder sports injuries are common in lacrosse. But don’t let that scare you. Understanding the demands of the game and knowing how to care for your body can keep you on the field, playing at your best.
What are common injuries experienced by lacrosse players?
Lacrosse is no walk in the park—it's a high-octane sport packed with physical demands and plenty of contact. That’s why you'll see players suited up in protective equipment from head to toe: shoulder pads, helmets, gloves, mouthpieces, and eye gear are all essential for staying safe on the field.
Despite all this armor, injuries can still happen. In fact, certain injuries are pretty common in lacrosse.
- Concussions
- Head and face contusions
- Low back pain
- Hip flexor strain
- Knee sprain (ACL, MCL)
- Ankle Sprain
- Wrist fracture
These injuries require proper treatment and recovery time. Chiropractic care can be helpful to young athletes as a means of helping avoid the injury or facilitating recovery.
How does chiropractic care aid in the recovery from common lacrosse injuries?
When it comes to sports medicine, chiropractic care can play a significant role in helping high school lacrosse players recover from injuries. One of the benefits of chiropractic care is that it can help alleviate pain and speed recovery from common lacrosse injuries.
Chiropractic adjustments restore proper alignment to the spine and joints. This process can heal subluxations and disc issues and reduce pain in other parts of the body. Injuries are often accompanied by inflammation. Chiropractic treatments can help reduce inflammation, helping athletes heal faster and relieve their pain. Adjustments can help restore strength and mobility to the back and joints and further aid the healing process.
A chiropractor can recommend therapeutic exercises to help young lacrosse players get back in the game more quickly. Chiropractic care offers all of this with completely natural, drug-free treatments with no side effects or potential for addiction.
How can chiropractic care help prevent injuries in lacrosse players?
Regular chiropractic treatments can help reduce the risk of injury for lacrosse players. Joint and spinal adjustments improve flexibility and maximize range of motion. This reduces the risk of wrist, ankle, and knee injuries, as well as low back pain. Proper training, nutrition, and safety gear can work together with chiropractic to aid in injury prevention for young athletes. As explained by Steven Knauf, D.C., vice president of chiropractic and compliance at The Joint Chiropractic, “Proper spinal adjustment is where the prevention of injuries begins.”
How can chiropractic care enhance athletic performance in lacrosse?
In addition to helping treat and prevent injuries, chiropractic can enhance the performance of high school athletes. When the spine and joints are properly aligned and have maximum flexibility and range of motion, a lacrosse player will have access to their full potential. They may run a bit quicker, have more zip on their shots, and can dish out and absorb hits better.
Studies have found that chiropractic treatments may improve reflexes and response time. This is because a proper spinal alignment reduces pressure on the spinal cord. All-time greats in many sports such as Michael Jordan, Tom Brady, Tiger Woods, and Michael Phelps relied on chiropractic to give them a competitive edge. Even Babe Ruth is said to have used a chiropractor.
As lacrosse continues to become more popular, more and more teens will join their high school teams. At The Joint Chiropractic, we're here to support your journey. With clinics conveniently located across the country, you can access our care without the need for an appointment. Whether you’re raising a future Olympian, a member of a state championship team, or you want your benchwarmer to shine when he or she finally gets their chance, bring your high school lacrosse player in for an exam and adjustment. It could help their game and aid in avoiding injury while helping them get the most from their sport.
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