Chiropractic Benefits for High School Athletes
By Debra Rodzinak
Playing in the NFL is a dream of many high school athletes. Steve Weatherford realized his dream when he became a punter for the New York Giants. As he looks back on his 10-year NFL career, Weatherford never missed a game due to injury.
His secret? He claims that chiropractic and an overall healthy lifestyle contributed to his success. When he was 14, he began receiving chiropractic care due to a weight room injury. As a 108-pound weakling, with the help of chiropractic, he beefed up to a hefty 225 pounds by graduation. His dedication to chiropractic has led him to rely on chiropractors for weekly maintenance ever since.
Weatherford’s Career
After high school, Weatherford attended the University of Illinois before entering the NFL. During his long NFL career, he punted for the Saints, Chiefs, Jaguars, and Jets. He also managed to obtain a Super Bowl ring when he was with the Giants. He stated that every NFL team has a chiropractor available 24/7 for the players.
Chiropractors in the NFL
Fifteen years ago, the Professional Football Chiropractic Society was formed. Currently, every one of the 32 teams of the NFL employ chiropractors to assist players with injury prevention and relief. During a typical week, a team can receive up to 50 treatments.
Chiropractic and High School Athletes
Preventive care is especially important for the athletes because they face hundreds of pounds of force with every hit. Most of the injuries that are considered serious are caused by spinal compression in the neck. Football players are taught the mechanics of the spine, positions to avoid when tackling, and how to avoid many injuries.
The earlier that players learn this, the better. For those in high school, Weatherford believes that every high school football program should have a chiropractor on consult. Young players and their parents need to understand how chiropractic can benefit athletes in injury prevention and assist with overall performance.
If you have an athlete in the home, come to The Joint to discuss treatment options with one of our highly qualified doctors of chiropractic. At The Joint, gentle spinal adjustments can provide athletes with a solid base in which their athletic talent can shine.
With over 360 convenient locations, finding a location near you is easy. With no pesky insurance forms to fill out or appointment times to remember, setting your athlete on the path to success and overall wellness is just a walk-in away.
To learn more about your health and wellness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic.