Chiropractor's Tips: Prevent Athletic Injuries
By Genevieve Smith
Chiropractic care is commonly integrated into sports medicine. It is useful for enhancing athletic performance, from amping up balance to helping heal injuries. Those involved in golfing, running, horseback riding and more find that they gain from the chiropractic experience. To keep injuries at bay, follow some of these tips from the chiropractor.
Tips for Golfers
- Warm up
- Keep your golf bag light and strap it across your chest
- Skip the golf cart and walk the course every so often
- Focus on good posture
Tips for Runners
- Vary between different running paths with different surfaces throughout the week
- Switch between two pairs of the same model of shoe until both wear out
- Always warm up before your run, and stretch after, and not the other way around
- Focus on your posture throughout the day
Tips for Horseback Riders
- Pay attention to recurring aches and pains
- Keep wrists in a neutral position when holding the reins
- Avoid prolonged bending during horse and stall maintenance
Chiropractic on the Athletic Landscape
There’s a reason chiropractors populate sports and Olympic teams. Their services are known to reduce risk of injury and promote quicker recovery. One of the highest paid athletes in the world over the past several years, Tiger Woods, has gained celebrity status for his golfing skills. As he put it, “I’ve been going to chiropractors for as long as I can remember. It’s as important to my training as practicing my swing.” Golf is a relatively low impact sport, but it can be rough on your spine, leading to injuries in your back. Running’s shifting weight distributions and jarring rhythms can also throw a body out of whack. Chiropractors are a great asset to runners, as they can focus on misalignments that can cause tension in pinpointed areas of the body. A preventative regimen of chiropractic adjustments can lead to a healthier equestrian experience as well. Through the process of alignment, riders can look toward reducing the impact of future injuries, as well as getting into a better groove with their horse’s gait.
Taking preventive care against restrictions and other injuries before they have a significant effect on your sport of choice can save you a boatload of trouble. If you’re seeking to institute chiropractic into your family's healthcare routine, be sure to call on The Joint to learn more about its team of chiropractors ready to serve you. The Joint has affordable pricing and welcomes walk-ins. Play, run, and ride on!
To learn more about your health and wellness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Hillsboro, Ore.
