Sporting Injuries
Many elite sporting people seek chiropractic care. Why is chiropractic popular in athletes? Athletes use chiropractic because they know the importance of having all your body systems working together as best they can. Chiropractic helps improve and enhance athletic performance and prevents minor injuries from becoming major ones.[iii]
In one study a group of 50 athletes were divided into 2 groups. One received chiropractic care, the other did not. They were tested on balance, agility, power, speed and reaction time. After 12 weeks the chiropractic group had an overall improvement of 16.7%, their reaction time scoring the highest level of improvement of 30%. [i]
Another study involved 16 injured female long distance runners placed under chiropractic care. The recovery time was reported to be quicker than expected and 7 recorded “personal best” performances following the treatment plan. [ii]
By enabling your joints to move optimally, your chiropractor is able to relieve stress on your muscles, ligaments, tendons and nerves.
Many sports cause a jarring effect on several joints of the body, particularly the spine.
Dr Paije has been involved with sporting clubs, particularly football clubs, over the past 10 years and will often look for possible causes of recurrent issues in sports people, making sure the body is functioning at its optimum.
Many children also participate in activity. Usually their driving factor is simply fun. But there are some other considerations for encouraging your children to participate in active games.
- It may increase their confidence
- Alleviate boredom
- Increase and encourage socialisation
- Produce further life goals
- Increase their health (often not high on a child’s list of reasons)
- Increase co-ordination
- Get rid of some energy (energy in vs energy out)
A common problem in the child is the effect physical growth has when combined with exercise. There is a difference in the growth of the muscles compared to the skeleton, with the muscles lagging behind. During growth spurts children will often feel tighter in their muscles, particularly around the long bones as seen in the legs. This may make the child more susceptible to on overuse injury.
[i] Lauro BM. Chiropractic effects on athletic ability. Chiropractic: The Journal of Chiropractic Research and Clinical Investigations. 1991;6(4):84-87
[ii] Grimston SK, Engsberg JR, Shaw L & Vetane NW. Rehabilitation prescribed in coordination with prior chiropractic therapy as a treatment for Sacroiliac Subluxation in female distance runners. Chiropractic Sports Medicine. 1990; 4: 2-9
[iii] Halderman S. Spinal Manipulative therapy in Sports Medicine. Clinics in Sports medicine. 1986; 5:277
Yes! We see some people who have developed tendonitis from repetitive stress. Some people even obtain tendonitis from working at a desk. This is due to poor posture and repetitive movements such as using a mouse.
At Back in Balance Chiropractic, we can advise you on desk ergonomics that might help alleviate some of these issues.
- Tendonitis
- Hamstring/calf strains
- Groin strains
- Achilles tendon injuries
- Tennis/Golfers elbow
- Rotator cuff injuries
- Sciatica
- Neck Pain
- Lower back pain
Some of these injuries can be due to muscle imbalances, poor posture, and poor form. These can become a problem over time and can lead to chronic injuries. Our chiropractors can help balance your body and give the advice to improve your posture and form to prevent further injury.
No, at university chiropractors are taught how to treat extremities as well as spines. Many chiropractors concentrate on the spine as it encases the nervous system which controls our whole body, but we are well equipped to treat sprains, strains and muscle imbalances. At Back in Balance Chiropractic, we use a combination of soft tissue treatments, dry needling, laser therapy, ultrasound and exercise therapy to improve any ailment you may have.
