Sports injuries can happen anytime. Whether you run marathons, surf, play golf, or shoot hoops, a chiropractor can help if you get injured. Help reduce recovery time. Alleviate pain. Get you back to doing what you love. A chiropractor can also help prevent future injuries. Did you know most pro athletes see a chiro on a regular basis?
Seeing a chiropractor for sports injuries can be game-changing. Literally. At Twin Waves Wellness Center, we treat athletes with injuries all the time. The following are some of the biggest benefits of seeing a chiropractor for a sports injury.
Why Should You See a Chiropractor for Sports Injuries?
Curious why chiropractic care works so well for athletes? Well, chiropractors look at the body as a whole. They understand that without identifying the root cause of the pain, it can be difficult to truly recover from an injury. Everything in the body is connected. The nervous system runs throughout the spine. And it influences so many different things!
- Digestion
- Mood
- Focus
- Balance
- Coordination
- Heart Rate
All of these influence how we function. No matter what your sport of choice is, you want your nervous system to be healthy. Microseconds are crucial to hitting the ball correctly. Dropping in on a wave. Dodging punches in the ring. Change direction quickly on the basketball court.
If you’re injured playing sports, several things likely played a role. Sure, if you sprain your ankle during a game, landing incorrectly is a major cause. But here’s the thing. Injuries are more likely to happen if that area of the body is already under some form of stress. This can be caused by physical and emotional stress. Say your spine is out of line. It affects everything. Balance. Hips. Your feet. Ultimately, this makes injuries like sprained ankles more likely to happen.
At Twin Waves Wellness Center, Dr. Suzanna and I practice a type of holistic chiropractic care called Network Spinal, which is super gentle. We take a whole-body approach to healing. Body. Mind. Spirit. As practicing chiropractors for sports injuries who combine energy healing with gentle chiropractic care, our goal is to improve your overall physical, mental, and emotional well-being. That way, you’re consistently on your A-game. And reduce the risk of future injuries. Meaning you can stay in the game, whatever your game might be.
7 Benefits of Chiropractic Care for Sports Injuries
1) Pain Relief
A lot of athletes see pain as “part of the process.” But it isn’t. If you are constantly pushing through chronic pain, listen up. It won’t go away by itself. Let’s be real. You can’t focus if you’re in pain. Not on your game. Or anything, really. Chiropractors relieve pain, which is crucial for operating like a normal human.
Whether always in pain or you’ve had a severe sports injury, do yourself a favor. See a chiropractor. They know exactly what to do to align joints. Release stored tension in muscles around the injury. Get blood flowing. Decrease inflammation. All of this helps relieve pain.
Professional athletes worldwide use chiropractic care for pain relief. You don’t need to play pro ball to reap the benefits, though. If you’ve been injured playing sports, seeing a chiropractor is one of the best things you can do.
“I go see the chiropractor when I get bent out of shape on Sundays. Playing in a football game is like being in 30-40 car accidents.” – Emmitt Smith, former Dallas Cowboys running back and 3x Super Bowl Champion
2) Increased Flexibility
When you see a chiropractor for sports injuries, muscles and joints get the opportunity to heal fast. If you injure your shoulder, it can take weeks (or even months) to heal. Same thing if you break a bone. Snap your Achilles.
After an injury, joints and muscles become resistant. A regular range of motion can be impossible. Recovery can be a long road. This is why physical therapy, massage, ice baths, and chiropractic care are so important.
Your muscles and joints get the best possible chance to heal quickly. Chiropractors don’t just adjust your back and neck. A chiropractor for sports injuries will give careful attention to the parts of your body that need it most. Injured joints typically lose flexibility.
Flexibility isn’t just yoga. It’s vital to athletic performance. Whether basketball. Pickleball. Tennis. Golf. Chiropractic care addresses these injured parts to keep them flexible.
3) More Range of Motion
When you increase your flexibility, your range of motion increases. Chiropractic care keeps joints moving the way they’re supposed to. This way, your body is less restricted.
Meaning you can bend, reach, and twist more easily, whether you’re running on the beach, lifting at the gym, or hitting balls at the range. Seeing a chiropractor for sports injuries can do wonders for the way you move.
4) Better Balance and Coordination
When your spine and joints are properly aligned, it increases overall balance. Which is as important in a yoga class as it is when surfing, skateboarding, or snowboarding. Or even in technical sports like golf or baseball. If your spine is out of alignment, your legs can be different lengths, you know.
Imagine if one leg were several inches shorter than the other. It would make any sport or game harder. Sure, it sounds dramatic. But I’ll never forget one client with over an inch difference in her right leg compared to the left! Unequal leg length is super common. Especially after an injury.
Seeing a chiropractor will help balance you out. This will make you strong on your feet. Solid in your foundation. Balanced. Coordinated. On point.
5) Reduced Recovery Time
Waiting for a sports injury to heal can take forever. We have one body and one life. Sitting on the sidelines is no fun. Neither is taking an entire season off. Seeing a chiropractor for sports injuries can reduce recovery time. How? Two words: Decreased inflammation.
Most injuries involve inflammation. The sooner it decreases, the quicker you return to doing what you love. Joint and muscle inflammation make moving hard. If you’re not fully healed, the motions you’re used to doing while playing your sport can feel impossible. This is why seeing a chiropractor is key.
Chiropractic adjustments help reduce inflammation around sports injuries. This is true for all parts of the body, not just the spine. An adjustment increases blood flow. This helps the anti-inflammatory process. Meaning you speed up the recovery process and get your game back on quicker.
6) Prevent Future Injuries
Chiropractic care isn’t just about fixing pain caused by sports injuries. It’s about preventing them from happening again. When your spine is aligned, it relieves tension. This reduces stress on muscles and joining that can cause future problems.
Think of a chiropractor as proactive protection. You get to keep playing. Training. Moving your best. And preventing something serious from taking you out down the road.
7) Reduce Anxiety Around Injuries
When sports are your life, being sidelined sucks. It can be super depressing. Downtime can make you anxious. Not feel like yourself. Worrying if you’ll ever feel like yourself again. Wondering if you’ll get back to your old level. When you can finally return to the game.
Chiropractic care can help ease that anxiety. Remember, it’s a whole body approach to wellness. Sure, it supports the physical aspect of your injury. But it also supports your emotions and mental state.
At Twin Waves Wellness Center, we practice a holistic chiropractic technique called Network Spinal. There’s an emotional component to healing. Our goal is to help you recover in any physical and/or emotional way you need. When emotions are in check, the body typically follows suit.
Seeing a chiropractor can help increase your confidence that you’re healing. The more balanced your emotions are, the better your body will feel. Then it’s easier to focus on getting back out there. Without fear holding you back.
Finding a Chiropractor for Sports Injuries Near You
When you see a chiropractor for sports injuries, it’s all natural. No prescription drugs are involved in recovery. It’s completely non-invasive. Working with your body’s innate healing ability. Focused adjustments realign what’s needed. This way, your body can recover. And move the way it’s meant to.
Some injuries may require medical intervention. That said, chiropractic care is safe and effective. It’s a safe path to sports recovery. And a powerful way to prevent future setbacks. At Twin Waves Wellness Center in Solana Beach, we help athletes of all levels. Heal. Regain confidence. Get back to doing what they love.
Don’t let pain or fear of reinjury keep you on the bench. Contact us to see how we can help. With the right chiropractic care, you can fully recover. Play stronger, and stay in the game.
