How Athlete's Can Benefit From Chiropractic Care
For athletes, levels of physical stress reach much higher degrees than with most normal people. Tough workouts, rigorous practices, and finally the competitive events themselves can all add up to chronic aches and pains. When these symptoms of wear and tear on the body are left untreated for long periods of time, they can transition into serious injuries that can become chronic disabilities.
Sports chiropractors are trained to focus on these specific problems for athletes and reduce the complications that can arise from putting the body through extreme physical demands for an athletic lifestyle. Chiropractic therapy corrects misalignments in the spine through spinal manipulation therapy which can help athletes to maximize their performances in the game, while also preventing new injuries and aiding recovery from old ones.
The musculoskeletal system of the body is a complex assemblage of bones, tendons, muscles, ligaments, and the nerves that wire them all together. When trauma from overuse or injury to particular parts of the body occur, the musculoskeletal system is likely to get thrown out of its natural state of symmetry. Chiropractors have been trained to zero in on these asymmetries in the musculoskeletal system so that balance in the body’s structure is restored. When one side of the body is different from the other, problems start to develop. These imbalances can be in strength capabilities, but most commonly they relate to flexibility and mobility.
Chiropractic adjustments are used to line up the parts of the body in the natural, original positions. Also, soft tissue work like massage can reduce tension in the muscles that may be keeping certain misalignments stuck in one place. When the body is fully aligned properly the risk of injury are reduced significantly. This is because one part of the body doesn’t need to work extra hard or experience extra stress by compensating for weakness or lack of movement by a misaligned area.
By increasing the range of motion in joints and ligaments chiropractic care opens up the body to move more freely. When the spine isn’t lined up in its natural shape cramps and spasms can occur, which restricts how far the body can move. Chiropractic therapy can free the body from these tensions and allow it experience a reduction of pain and improvement in mobility. In the long term, regular chiropractic visits can help athletes perfect their form while exercising, especially during weight lifting, because tensions get relieved that formerly held back progress.
Used under Creative Commons Licensing courtesy of Marianne Bevis