Chiropractic Care to Treat & Prevent Sports Injuries

Are you a professional athlete? Maybe you're someone who only participates in sports in your spare time. Whether you're an elite player or a weekend warrior, you've probably faced an injury at some point. Any part of your body is at risk of getting hurt during sports activity, but your joints are most vulnerable. Here are four common sports injuries that your chiropractor can treat:

• Sprains and Strains. You can suffer from a sprain if you overstretch your ligaments, usually in your wrists or ankles. On the other hand, you may experience a strain once your muscle or tendon is worn, oftentimes in the back or hamstrings. The pain from sprains and strains can make it difficult for you to engage in sports. Your chiropractor can help problem areas by performing joint adjustments, stretches, or exercises, among others.

• Shin Splints. A shin splint is a condition commonly associated with runners. It's characterized by pain along the shin bone or the bone in front of your lower leg. It occurs when you repetitively use your lower leg. Without treatment, shin splints can lead to chronic pain, making simple tasks difficult to do. Your chiropractor can ease the pain from this condition by making chiropractic adjustments to your calf, ankle, and foot.

• Tennis Elbow. Do you usually perform repetitive, forceful movements to your arm, elbow, wrist, and hand? You may be prone to a painful condition known as tennis elbow. It occurs when you overwork your forearm. It's common in athletes who play racquet sports such as badminton or tennis, and those whose sports involve throwing like javelin. Your chiropractor can perform adjustments to increase blood flow to the problem area. 

• Shoulder Bursitis. This is a common cause of pain in the shoulder and upper arm. It occurs when one of the fluid-filled sac known as the bursa becomes irritated and inflamed. The discomfort from shoulder bursitis usually develops gradually over time. They can restrict those movements where you have to lift your arm above your head. Pain can also occur when you move your arm behind your neck or back. Anyone who heavily and repetitively practices full-range arm motions is prone to shoulder bursitis. 

Prevention Through Chiropractic Care

While sports injuries can happen at any time, it's possible to stop them from occurring in the first place. Proper stretching and warm-up activities help prevent sports injuries, particularly pulled muscles. A common myth about chiropractic medicine is that it only involves cracking backs. But one of the fundamental concentrations of sports chiropractors is to spot areas of weakness. They address the concerns before they become a problem or cause injury. Many athletes seek the help of chiropractors for this purpose. They're a great source for those who intend to increase their performance and limit the risk of injury. As a matter of fact, more than half of the National Football League and every Olympic team have a chiropractor on staff. 

Does your active lifestyle cause body pain and stiffness? At The Spine Clinic, we can treat spinal misalignments. Call our office today in Salem, Oregon, at (503) 362-5555 to make an appointment.