Athletics are demanding on the body. From running to jumping, and every other body movement in between — physical competition is both healthy and exhaustive. The wear and tear of sports can leave a body sore, aching, and even in significant pain. Chiropractic care might not be the first form of recovery and performance enhancement that athletes think of. However, a chiropractor is able to provide natural and effective care that can positively impact the health and wellbeing of both casual and high-level athletes.

Chiropractic care approaches healthcare with a holistic outlook, aiming to find the root cause of your issue and address it at the source. Many athletes may suffer from chronic back pain or regular migraines caused by their activities. Others may struggle to get proper sleep at night or have longer refractory periods. Chiropractic care may be able to help athletes alleviate these concerns. Here at Reinhardt Chiropractic, we work with athletes of all ages and abilities in order to keep them healthy, on the field, and performing well.

Benefits of Spinal Manipulation

Spinal manipulation has been around since the 1800’s, working to treat multiple forms of pain and disease. Today, in Western medicine, more and more individuals are turning to natural treatment options to help address their health issues — chiropractic care being one of those solutions.

The spine and associated joints play an important role in an individual’s overall health. The science behind spinal manipulation seeks to restore the body’s natural state of balance and alignment. This best promotes and protects the proper functioning of the nervous system. Through different adjustments to the cervical, thoracic and lumbar sections of the spine — and other related joints, chiropractors can help induce positive physiological changes for the body.

Spinal manipulation is just one of the technical methods used by chiropractors to care for patients, with over 100 different adjustment techniques used worldwide, the benefits of these adjustments are growing in popularity among athletes. Spinal adjustments can:

  • Improve nerve communication
  • Release positive hormones (neurotensin, cortisol, and oxytocin)
  • Improve joint movement and coordination
  • Relieve pain from neck, back, and associated joints
  • Promote relaxation
  • Lower blood pressure
  • Reduce inflammation
  • Improve breathing/respiratory function
  • Better balance
  • Boost energy levels
  • Improve immune function

What This Means For Athletes

It is estimated that 90 percent of top-level athletes use chiropractic care to recover and improve their physical performance. Every NFL team has an on-staff team chiropractor, and many high profile athletes seek regular outside chiropractic care during their season of play.

One of the major benefits of working with a chiropractor is their approach to wellness. A chiropractor looks at the body’s kinetic chain and identifies areas of possible concern or injury to the joints that could occur. The nervous system is under a great deal of daily stress, and when physical activity is incorporated, injury and malfunction are a possibility. Chronic stress on your nerves and joints can lead to bigger pain or discomfort the longer they persist. With regular exercise, spinal stress is often overlooked, causing damage to the spine and related areas of the body.

Chiropractic care is a safe and effective way for athletes to best support their body’s natural positioning — all while helping protect it from injury and promoting their best peak physical performance.