If you are an athlete currently, 20 years ago, or a weekend warrior, you understand the variety of activities that can result in painful tears, sprains, and strains. If not addressed right away, these injuries can lead to chronic pain and prevent you from enjoying the activities you love. Seeing a chiropractor can help you when you have suffered a sports injury and also help to prevent them.

Chiropractic can help prevent injuries of the entire body, including the shoulders, elbows, wrist, hips, knees, and ankles, not just the neck and back. The chiropractic adjustment moves the bones into proper alignment with the main purpose of removing nerve interference, or mis-communication between the brain and the end structure or muscles. In addition to reducing pain, this helps the athlete become less susceptible to injury by:

• restoring and enhancing joint function
• creating balance
• relieving tension in the body
• decreasing joint inflammation
• increasing flexibility and range of motion

Athletes, and often the every day person just trying to exercise, suffer sports injuries because of forceful impacts, repetitive motions, over-training, over-exerting, and failure to warm up properly. Chiropractors can help by relieving the pain and helping them heal faster after an injury. Regular, maintenance visits will promote a quicker recovery after games and workouts, as well as better balance and overall performance.