Why Chiropractic Treatment is Ideal for Athletes

Whether you are a professional athlete, avid amateur, weekend warrior, or a youth athlete, chances are that you have experienced some sort of injury or pain while participating in your sport. This holds true not only in high-contact sports like football and rugby but also in sports involving little or no contact such as golf and tennis. According to the Professional Football Chiropractic Society, every one of the 32 NFL teams offers chiropractic services to their players. And, during his acceptance speech after winning the 2015 Masters golf tournament at the young age of 21, Jordan Spieth famously included his chiropractor among the list of people who greatly contributed to his success. Read on for just a few of the ways that regular chiropractic care can help keep athletes at the top of their game:

Improve Alignment

Spinal misalignment is extremely common among athletes and can contribute to injury and subpar performance. Alignment issues often present as strength or flexibility differences between the right to the left side, and, left untreated, can cause other areas of the body to work harder to try to “pick up the slack”. When these imbalances are corrected, athletes often notice that they are better to perform better, with less pain and stiffness, because their body is now working as intended.

Increase Range of Motion

Tightness, especially in the back and neck, can lead to problems in everyday life, not to mention on the field or pitch. Regular chiropractic adjustments can dramatically improve range of motion, resulting in easier mobility and improved flexibility. When muscles and ligaments are tight, it is difficult for the athlete to perform optimally. Unless proper range of motion is restored, the athlete is likely to continue to experience stiffness and pain, which can then lead to performance at a lower level.

Injury Treatment

When an athlete is injured, the body immediately takes steps to try to protect itself from further damage. This often means muscle spasms and inflammation at the point of injury. Over time, these spasms and inflammation can lead to spinal misalignments, which will slow down the healing process. A Chiropractor will work with the athlete to correct the misalignments and start the healing process sooner through the use of massage, stretching, range-of-motion exercises, the use of specific tools to break down scar tissue, dry needling to release tension in the muscles, and electric stimulation.

Decrease or Eliminate Pain

Often, athletes experience joint pain due to the repetitive nature of their sports, Whether it’s a football player with sore knees, a golfer with a stiff and sore neck, or a soccer player with hip flexor issues, your chiropractor can help manage the pain and prevent further injury.

At the Wignall-Kennedy Clinic in Wauwatosa, WI, Dr. Kennedy has a passion for chiropractic. Having sustained a sports injury as a teenager, Dr. Kennedy knows what it feels like to be sidelined, and will do all he can to treat existing injuries as well as to help prevent future ones. Give us a call at 414-257-2575 to schedule your appointment.