Sports and exercise are vital to staying healthy and fit. Paradoxically, however, the physical demands of playing a sport or starting a new exercise regimen can put one’s health at risk. Advanced athletes, in particular, are constantly pushing their bodies to perform, often leading to sports-related injuries. Depending on the type of sport, injuries affect different parts of the body and can range from mild to severe. They can occur from overuse, trauma, failure to stretch, or lack of appropriate sports equipment. Many types of musculoskeletal injuries arise in connective tissues, such as tendons and ligaments, but they can also occur in bones and nerves. Common sports injuries include sprains, strains, tendonitis, dislocated joints, knee injuries, elbow injuries, fractures, and pinched nerves. Athletes who engage in contact sports are also at risk of whiplash, an injury that occurs when the neck is quickly and forcefully pushed.
Urban Chiropractic can help patients avoid and recover from sports injuries through various techniques. A chiropractor often provides a sports physical before an athlete begins a new sport or exercise routine. This examination may include an analysis of health history, current health, muscle strength, and flexibility to identify conditions that could increase risk of injury. If injury does occur, chiropractors recommend the RICE (rest, ice, compress and elevate) method until provision of professional care. Then, a chiropractor can use spinal adjustments to reduce inflammation, alleviate pain and help the body heal.