Sports Chiropractic: The Athlete's Secret Weapon
Sports chiropractic (or chiropractic sports medicine) is a relatively new subspecialty in the field of chiropractic healing. As chiropractic care becomes more mainstream, more practitioners are starting to specialize in a variety of healing methods. Sports chiropractors specialize in the care of musculoskeletal injuries, including prevention. This branch of chiropractic expertise is an excellent resource for athletes. Whether you need a little advice on performance issues or treatment for a sport-related injury, any type of athlete will find that a sports chiropractor is an important part of keeping their body in peak condition.
Chiropractic care has been around for thousands of years, but it wasn’t until 1980 that the first chiropractor was added to the United States Olympic medical team. Since then, spinal adjustments have become an important part of many sports medical teams. Athletes from every walk of life are starting to realize the long-term benefits of chiropractic care.
Sports chiropractors take a multidisciplinary approach to treat their patients. They also have an extensive knowledge of sports and sports-related injuries. This means that they’re uniquely qualified to diagnose and treat an athlete’s body without the use of drugs or invasive surgical procedures. Because chiropractic medicine is defined by its “hands on” approach to healing and the belief in caring for the entire body, it’s becoming an increasingly popular way to stay in the game without relying on drugs or surgeries.
Sports chiropractic is a highly specialized field that typically focuses on professional or aspiring athletes. If you don’t spend a good portion of your life participating in a sport, you probably don’t require that level of specialized care. Your local chiropractic team is trained in the same type of spinal manipulation and pain relief techniques as a sports chiropractor, and can perform the same techniques as a specialist. They’re also able to offer a more general approach to your overall health.
Every chiropractor treats injuries with the same basic techniques. They use spinal manipulation to align your spine and traction tables to relieve pressure in the discs in your back. A good chiropractor will also be eager to educate you on the proper way to move your body to avoid injury. Chiropractors are strong believers in holistic care. This means that they’re concerned with the health of your whole body and can be an excellent resource for the sports-minded individual.
Anyone who plays sports regularly can benefit from chiropractic care. Your chiropractor can help you with aches and pains that come along with an exercise regimen, as well as helping you to stay fit and healthy. If exercise pains are slowing your workout down, get going to your chiropractor for an adjustment. They’ll have you back at the gym in no time at all.
Story credit: http://my.clevelandclinic.org/orthopaedics-rheumatology/patient-education/newsletters/competitive-edge-winter-2012.aspx#4
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