Everyone knows what an important role staying active plays in our health, especially as we get older. We have a very active group of athletes here in Ottawa and work hard to make sure that every patient stays active and healthy for many years to come.
Chiropractic care is the perfect way to keep your body functioning correctly, and it’s also perfect for those involved in sports and athletics. Thousands of professional athletes take advantage of the competitive edge they gain from regular chiropractic care. For example 27 of 30 Major League Baseball teams, the NFL, and almost every NBA team has an official, on-staff chiropractor to care for team members. Olympic athletes began working with chiropractors officially in 1976, and the US team sent over 100 chiropractors to London for the 2012 Olympics.
How does chiropractic help athletes stay healthy and boost performance? Let’s take a look at the research:
1. Chiropractic Prevents Sports Injuries
A study conducted in 2010 looked at Australian football players who received chiropractic care and compared them to those who received regular sports training. The authors found that the chiropractic patients were significantly less likely to experience lower-limb muscle strains and they also missed less playing time due to injury.
2. Chiropractic Relieves Sports-Related Back Pain
Many people suffer from back pain, including athletes, and that can be very limiting. Chronic pain makes it harder to get the most out of your workout and can leave you on the sidelines.
A 2011 study found that chiropractic was the best way to recover from back pain for athletes.
3. Chiropractic Helps Recovery from Ankle Sprains
A sprained ankle can be devastating for someone who is active. Fortunately, a study from 2014 found that people who received chiropractic care and rehab after an ankle injury recovered more quickly than those who received rehab alone.
4. Chiropractic Increases Jump Height
Athletes are a pretty competitive bunch, and they’re always trying to get that extra bit of performance. An interesting study from 2014 divided a group of 19 women handball players into some who received chiropractic adjustments and some who did not. They then compared the maximum jump height of the two groups and found that those who received chiropractic had a noticeable improvement.
5. Chiropractic Makes You Stronger
Chiropractic works by removing restrictions on your nervous system that allows your body to function at its best. A 2011 study involved a group of 18 professional judo athletes. Half were given chiropractic adjustments while the other half were given a sham adjustment. The researchers found that chiropractic adjustment group had a 10% stronger grip strength on the left side and a 16% stronger grip strength on the right side. The sham adjustment group had no improvement in grip strength.
6. Chiropractic Helps Runners
This study found that a group of runners who received chiropractic adjustments had increased hip extension and improved joint function, when compared to those who didn’t receive chiropractic.
7. Chiropractic Relieves Hip Pain in Golfers
This 2012 study was a case report that documented a 49-year-old female golfer who had been suffering from hip osteoarthritis for several years. By the sixth visit to the chiropractor, the patient reported that her left hip pain was “great” and by the eighth visit, both her hips generally felt “good.” The woman continued receiving treatments every two weeks thereafter. After six months, the patient reported that she was able to golf pain-free!
As these studies show, chiropractic care is an effective and safe way to keep your body working. Fortunately, you don’t have to be an athlete making millions of dollars a year to reap the benefits of chiropractic care. We can help you, right here in our office!
If you would like to improve your performance or if you’re being held back by an injury, we’re here!
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References
1. Hoskins W, Pollard H. The effect of a sports chiropractic manual therapy intervention on the prevention of back pain, hamstring and lower limb injuries in semi-elite Australian Rules footballers: a randomized control trial. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders 2010;11:64.
2. Petering R and Webb C. Treatment options for low back pain in athletes. Sports Health 2011; 3(6): 550-555.
3. Lubbe D, Lakhani E, Brantingham JW, et al. Manipulative therapy and rehabilitation for recurrent ankle sprain. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics. 2014 Nov 6. S0161-4754(14)00204-8.
4. Hedlund, S. Effect of chiropractic manipulation on vertical jump height in young female athletes with talocrural joint dysfunction: a single-blinded randomized clinical pilot trial. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics 2014. doi:10.1016/j.jmpt.2013.11.004.
5. Botelho, Marcelo and Bruno Andrade. “Effect of Cervical Spine Manipulative Therapy on Judo Athletes’ Grip Strength. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapies. 2011; 35(11): 38-44.
6. Sandell J, Palmgren RC, Bjorndhal L. Effect of chiropractic treatment on hip extension ability and running velocity among young male running athletes. Journal of Chiropractic Medicine 2009;7:39-47.
7. Howell E. Rehabilitation and treatment of a recreational golfer with hip osteoarthritis: a case report. Journal of the Canadian Chiropractic Association 2012; 65 (3):201-8.