As any athlete can tell you, sports take a toll on the body. There is no getting around the fact that aches, pains, and even serious injuries can and often do occur. This leaves many athletes looking for ways to take care of their bodies. One method with innumerable benefits is chiropractic care.
A chiropractor helps patients through the manipulation and realignment of their joints. This can be a highly effective method for all sorts of issues. People of all ages and persuasions use chiropractors to improve their well-being, but athletes perhaps have even more to gain than most. Starting chiropractic care young will keep young athletes healthy and able to compete for as long as they desire. These are just some of the benefits chiropractic care can have for young athletes.
Increased Range of Motion
Regular visits to a chiropractor can give an athlete an increased range of motion, which in turn improves performance. The stress of constant physical activity causes wear and tear on the body. Joints become stiff and spinal alignment issues are likely to arise. A good chiropractor can restore the athlete's ability to move without pain and return to peak performance.
Reduced Pain
Athletic activity can also cause discomfort in the joints and the back, pain which is not only uncomfortable but also negatively impacts athletic performance. Luckily, chiropractic care can help resolve these issues. Pain is especially common in the back because the spine is a complex system of ligaments, joints, nerves, and disks, all of which are susceptible to inflammation and irritation. A chiropractor works to remove the discomfort by working out the misalignment and inflammation that are the root causes of the pain. Once the discomfort has been reduced or gotten rid of, the athlete will be able to focus more on their game and performance will undoubtedly improve. The lack of pain also means athletes will not compensate by overusing another part of their body, thereby lessening the probability of future injury.
Quick Recovery from Injury
Chiropractic treatment has significant benefits for athletes overcoming an injury as well. By readjusting the joints in various parts of an injured athlete's body, pain is diminished and recovery time is reduced. For many athletes, this can be the difference that allows them to return to action in time for the next big game. In particular, headaches from neck injuries, ankle sprains, and shoulder injuries have all been known to respond well to chiropractic care.
Avoiding Surgery and Drugs
Another major benefit of chiropractic treatment is that it is a natural, non-invasive option. Many athletes with ailing bodies turn to drugs or surgery in hope of relief. These options, of course, have many serious side effects. With drugs, the biggest concern is the possibility of developing an addiction or dependency. Many athletes are prescribed opioids to provide relief for unrelenting pain. This leaves them susceptible to addiction and a place among the millions suffering in the current prescription drug crisis. Back pain is a perfect example of the type of ailment that is often treated by opioids but is better addressed by chiropractic care. A realignment can offer significant relief without any of the serious dangers or side effects of drugs. Some surgeries can also be avoided by turning to chiropractic treatment.
General Health Benefits
There are many other benefits of chiropractic care that pertain to all patients and therefore will be helpful to a young athlete. For example, a chiropractor's treatment works to reduce headaches in many patients. For an athlete, this can be a key factor in removing a problem that is a nuisance at best and debilitating at worst.
Chiropractic care has also been shown to boost the immune system. Any athlete who has been sick on the day of the big game knows exactly why this could prove to be vitally important.
All in all, chiropractic care is a fantastic option for athletes looking to maintain peak performance while staying on the field and off of the treatment table.
