The first way to stop an injury from keeping you sidelined from everyday activities is by taking steps to prevent an injury from occurring. Chiropractic care is synonymous with spinal adjustments, but chiropractors do much more than that.

Many professional athletes use chiropractic care for injury prevention and treatment. Chiropractors are so essential that all 32 professional football teams have Doctors of Chiropractic on staff. A large number of major league baseball teams also have chiropractors on hand for injury prevention and to treat any injuries ailing players. Whether or not you play sports is irrelevant in getting chiropractic care for injury prevention. By regularly visiting a chiropractor, you can reduce your risk of getting hurt and treat other ailments like back and neck pain that are all too common as you age.

Understanding Why Injuries Occur

Sports and exercise are a great way to improve your health, but the risk of injury is always there, even among the most seasoned athletes. Excessive training, poor form and training methods, muscle imbalances/weakness, and more, can lead to an injury. Hyperextension and hyperflexion can quickly cause tears, pain, and debilitation.

Misalignment of the spine can lead to unnecessary tension in one part of the body rather than the equal distribution of pressure. Improper alignment of the spine and pelvis can occur after sitting for long periods of time, is common for those working in an office, as well as from repetitive movements on unchanging surfaces. For example, a runner may log 200 miles per week on a flat surface; swimmers may spend several hours in the water each day.

For those considering getting into a new exercise routine or recreational sports, it’s important to speak with a doctor and/or determine your fitness level. Pushing yourself too hard too fast is one of the quickest ways to get injured.

Chiropractic Treatments for Preventing Injuries

Warm-ups, using proper form, and varying your workouts to increase strength and flexibility are some ways you can prevent an injury. The following forms of chiropractic treatment can also help.

• Recommended dynamic exercises
• Spinal manipulation
• Hip alignments
• Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM)
• Massage

Many chiropractors also incorporate nutritional counseling into a treatment plan, which can help patients improve their overall health and athletic performance.

Chiropractic care can help increase range of motion, promote faster healing, improve balance and coordination, and increase energy levels. Whether you’re an athlete or starting to exercise to improve your health, you can greatly benefit from chiropractic care for injury prevention.