When it comes to chiropractic care, one of the many benefits of regular spinal manipulations, adjustments and treatments are the ability to affect all the systems of the body, particularly, the body’s nervous system. The nervous system sends electrical impulses throughout the nerves to transmit signals between various parts of the body, to function and move properly. Our ability of living is centered around a functioning nervous system.
As the football coach is the command center for his team, his success comes when properly relaying his message to the quarterback. If the coach isn’t able to communicate effectively with his quarterback, he nor the team is able to work to its fullest potential. The nervous system can respond similarly if there is dysfunction of the brain and spinal column. As the brain is the command center for our bodies, the slightest dysfunction or interference of the nervous system can cause a breakdown in communication between the brain and all of the body’s cells, organs and tissues.
Chiropractic care can be beneficial for everyone for a number of reasons, but if you’re an athlete or have an athlete in your home, there are many benefits that could contribute to your athlete’s success and wellbeing.
Non-invasive Techniques to Relieve Injury & Decrease Pain
Whether athletes participate in high impact sports such as wrestling, football, or hockey to low impact sports such as cycling, golfing and tennis, each athlete will be using their muscles groups differently. It’s no secret to the amount of strain and stress an athlete puts on their body. Chiropractic adjustments can be beneficial to relieve stress and pain by removing interference on the nervous system without the use of medications or surgery. A study conducted in 2001 from Duke University on the focus of head and neck injuries in sports concluded that, “Spinal manipulation resulted in almost immediate relief for headaches originating from the neck.”
In addition to spinal adjustments, Elena Sonnino, contributor to the US News and World Report, reports on four treatments that can be effective for athletes.
- Active Release Technique (ART) – the combination of massage and stretching to treat a range of motion.
- Graston Technique — the process of breaking down surface scar tissue with stainless steel tools.
- Functional Dry Needling—releasing deep muscles tension by muscle stimulation through needles in deep trigger points.
- Electrical Muscle Stimulation (EMS)—relieves tension by stimulating the surface muscles to contract.
Injury Prevention and Enhanced Performance
You don’t have to have an injury or be in pain to see a chiropractor. Studies have shown that through regular adjustments athletes have had better balance, coordination and reaction time. Releasing the tension in the spine and neck reduces the possible irritation on the nerve roots. By removing the interference on your nervous system, your body has the better capability to function as efficiently as possible. Additional benefits can include a lower blood pressure, better flexibility and the reduction of injury risk.
Through spinal manipulations, the use of EMS, tissue massage, and other exercises, chiropractic care can be an effective solution for dealing with your pain, injury or enhancing your athletic performance. Seeing a chiropractor as a training tool versus a crisis management tool can help you be better prepared mentally and physically come game day.
Sources
https://allamericanhealthcare.net/5-ways-athletes-benefit-from-chiropractic-care
http://www.upstonchiropractic.com/athletes-and-chiropractic-care/
