Chiropractic Care and Sports-Related Injuries

I’ve played sports for most of my life. It started with gymnastics at the age of five and that lasted until the age of 10, when I discovered volleyball. There was something more rewarding to me about a team sport, versus an individual sport. I played all throughout high school and part-way through college, until a recurrent knee injury kept me off the court for good. I still play for fun occasionally, but I can also always expect a sore, stiff knee afterwards. While participation in sports throughout one’s life can contribute to a healthy body, sports-related injuries are also extremely common. We push our bodies to the limit and, unfortunately, this can often lead to breaks, sprains, and strains. Luckily, a doctor of chiropractic can oftentimes help to relieve pain from an injury and get you back into playing-shape in no time.

Injuries

• Strains and Sprains

The most commonly seen sports-related injuries generally involve the body’s muscles, tendons, and ligaments. The American Chiropractic Association says, “an acute twisting or over-extension of a joint can lead to tears of muscles and tendons, called ‘strains’, and tears of ligaments result in ‘sprains’. These tears range from mild to severe.”

• Tendinosis

If a single joint in the body is being overused during sports training, it can often lead to pain and/or lack of function. A common injury due to overuse is tendinosis, otherwise known as tendinitis, which is when the tendon becomes inflamed due to constant overuse

• Stress Fractures

Otherwise known as a fatigue fracture, stress fractures are caused when an unusual amount of stress is placed on a bone. Runners who are increasing their mileage before a race may experience stress fractures in their legs.

Treatment

One of the most important things to remember when you experience a sports-related injury, despite its severity, is to rest. Allow your body the time it needs to fully recuperate before returning to your normal activities. Also, make sure that you see a doctor, who may or may not recommend x-rays, casts, ice packs, heat, and/or elevation to treat your injury. Finally, a doctor of chiropractic can potentially treat your injury with joint manipulation, which can relieve pain and reduce your recovery time. If you are on the search for chiropractic care for your own sports-related injury, consider stopping by The Joint... The Chiropractic Place for a consultation. Their knowldegable staff, convenient walk-in hours, and affordable prices can meet all of your chiropractic needs. 

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Used under Creative Commons Licensing courtesy of David Holmes