Reasons to Visit a Chiropractor for a Sports Injury

Going to a chiropractor might not be the first solution that comes to mind when you think of sports injuries, yet their services might come in handy if you have sustained injuries on the field. Common sports ailments a chiropractor can help with include:

• Localized neck pain
• Neck stiffness
• lower back (lumbar) sprains and strains

A chiropractor can help with sports injuries

It is a good idea to first understand what chiropractors are and what they do. Chiropractors are healthcare professionals who treat issues that affect the joints, like the neck and back. Their focus is on using their hands to readjust the spine and realign muscular joints.

Unlike general practitioners, chiropractors do not prescribe pain meds. Instead, they use a combination of physical treatments and lifestyle advice to help patients. Ways that a chiropractor helps with sports injuries include the following.

1. Less reliance on opioids

According to researchers at Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, more than 70% of NFL players prescribed pain meds have misused them. Misusing opioids puts athletes at risk of becoming addicted. In this case, prevention is undoubtedly better than damage control. This is where chiropractors come in.

Chiropractors use their hands and diet advice to treat patients. They do not recommend pain medication. By visiting a chiropractor, an athlete can avoid having to use opioids for pain relief.

2. Lower medical bills

Chiropractors are cost-effective. Their services are often cheaper than conventional treatments used to tackle the same things. Athletes who let chiropractors take care of their sports injuries can save money on:

• Medication
• Having to see multiple specialists
• Surgery

3. Improved sleep

People in pain typically have a hard time getting quality sleep. The stress of dealing with an injury can also disrupt an athlete's sleep patterns. It leads to a hormone called cortisol being released, and that makes it harder to sleep.

Chiropractic treatments help decrease a patient’s cortisol levels and reduce pain. That is often enough to restore quality sleep.

4. Injury rehabilitation

An injured athlete will not be able to exercise as much as they would like to. While this is not a problem for an injury lasting only a few weeks, things can become more complicated for long-term ailments.

Chiropractic adjustments keep the neck, spine, and pelvis in alignment to help the body maintain good balance and coordination. This means the athlete’s body is being prepared to return to the field even when the person is restricted to bed rest.

5. Extensive treatments

The body needs to maintain a sound immune system. This is doubly true for people recovering from injuries. Chiropractic treatments are holistic in nature. Whether it is the practitioner working on the patient with their hands or giving advice, chiropractors take care of the whole body. Seeing a chiropractor means:

• Less pain
• A boosted immune system
• A relaxed mind