Sports chiropractic athletes: A sports chiropractor is a specialist that works with athletes to improve their performance. These doctors specialize in assessing and treating sports injuries. Treatment also prevents future damage/injury by providing a customized rehabilitation, strengthening, flexibility, and mobility program, that includes:
Exercise prescription
Ergonomic recommendations
Health coaching/counseling
Therapeutic sports massage
Sports chiropractic deals with preventing, diagnosing, and treating sports-athletic-based injuries to muscles, tendons, ligaments, and joints. Sports chiropractors have extensive training in evaluating muscular-skeletal problems related to sports participation overuse. Diagnosis is acquired through:
Chiropractors are masters of the human body and trained to use advanced diagnostics tools. A sports chiropractor evaluates individuals from all levels of sports and fitness, including:
Athletes – professional or recreational
Weekend warriors
Military personnel
The objective is to identify musculoskeletal problems related to sporting activity or overuse, alleviate pain, rehabilitate, and strengthen to prevent future injury. They can diagnose and treat sports-related injuries from common overuse injuries like:
Hip pain from frequently running on pavement.
Shoulder pain from damage caused by continued overhead throwing or hitting.
Low back and leg issues from twisting, bending, jumping, and reaching.
Balance
Athletes need a healthy balance of endurance, strength, and structure. Through biomechanics training, sports chiropractic restores the body’s natural balance and proper function. The goal is to get the athlete re-engaged and protected against further injury and play without any problems or limitations. Sports chiropractic athletes can return in a short amount of time from injuries that include:
Torn ACLs
MCL Sprain
Ankle Sprain
Achilles Tendonitis
Rotator cuff tears
Quadriceps Strains
Hamstrings Strains
Shin Splints
Sports Hernia
Neck Pain
Back Pain
Spondylolisthesis
Prevention Regimen
They can recommend prevention programs to prevent potential problems before an athlete gets hurt. A chiropractor will detect developing muscle imbalances before they turn into a chronic condition that can lead to damage to the rest of the body. Additional therapies include:
Massage
Hot/cold treatments
Ultrasound therapy
Low-level laser therapy
Adjustments, stretching, core training, therapeutic sports massage, health coaching, and nutritional counseling will strengthen the body, allowing for performing physical activities and sports at optimum levels.
Body Composition
Sports Performance
Working with sports chiropractic athletes means achieving a balance of lean mass to maintain sports performance and reduce the risk of injury. Athletes, doctors, and trainers monitor gains over time to maximize performance and watch for signs of potential injury. A method of monitoring for potential injury is the ECW/TBW Analysis. When training and engaging in sports, the body is under physical stress. The proper amount of rest and recovery are needed to allow muscles to recover and regrow. Inflammation is reflected in the ECW/TBW by monitoring changes over time. A steady increase can indicate a sign of overtraining or improper recovery. Monitoring this progression can alert doctors and trainers that an athlete needs a less intense workout or longer recovery to reduce the potential for overtraining injury.
References
Corcoran, Kelsey L et al. “Association Between Chiropractic Use and Opioid Receipt Among Patients with Spinal Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.” Pain medicine (Malden, Mass.) vol. 21,2 (2020): e139-e145. doi:10.1093/pm/pnz219
Naqvi U, Sherman Al. Muscle Strength Grading. [Updated 2021 Sep 2]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (F.L.): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK436008/
Nelson, Luke et al. “A descriptive study of sports chiropractors with an International Chiropractic Sports Science Practitioner qualification: a cross-sectional survey.” Chiropractic & manual therapies vol. 29,1 51. 13 Dec. 2021, doi:10.1186/s12998-021-00405-1
Williams, Sean et al. “Kinesio taping in treatment and prevention of sports injuries: a meta-analysis of the evidence for its effectiveness.” Sports medicine (Auckland, N.Z.) vol. 42,2 (2012): 153-64. doi:10.2165/11594960-000000000-00000
Acute and chronic sports injuries. Individuals who participate in sports or physical activities have an increased risk of experiencing an injury. These types of damages range from minor to severe and could require medical attention. Acute sports injuries happen suddenly and are usually the result of trauma to the area. A specific, identifiable incident is what causes an acute injury. Chronic sports injuries, also known as repetitive/overuse injuries, happen with time and are not caused by a single incident.
Acute and Chronic Sports Injuries Identification
Acute injuries can be identified by their cause. This could be a falling down during a run, sharp pain that presents in the shoulder after a throw, or a sprained ankle. The ability to focus on one cause usually means it’s acute. Acute injuries are characterized by:
Sudden pain in an area where there was none.
Swelling
Redness
Tenderness
Limited range of motion.
The inability of the injured area to support its weight.
A broken bone.
Dizziness
Headache
Nausea
Vomiting
Chronic injuries are different but are usually easy to identify. The pain begins gradually, usually over weeks or months. Repetitive activities like running, throwing, and swinging can exacerbate the pain. However, it is difficult to point to a specific issue that first caused the discomfort or pain. Chronic sports injuries are characterized by:
Pain and tenderness in the area, especially during and immediately after activity.
Minor swelling and limited range of motion.
Dull pain when resting.
These two types of injuries have different causes – trauma for acute and wear-and-tear for chronic – but they can both result in similar issues. For example, shoulder rotator cuff injuries are common, especially those that repeatedly use their shoulder to swing, throw, swim, etc. The individual needs to undergo a rotator cuff injury test to diagnose the injury correctly, whether the damage is acute or chronic. Chronic injuries can cause acute injuries, and acute injuries can lead to chronic injuries if left untreated.
Examples of Acute and Chronic Sports Injuries
Chronic and acute injuries are common in every type of sport. There’s an opportunity for both types of injuries. The most common include:
Other injuries from trauma, overuse, or both include:
Nonspecific Back Pain
Herniated Disc/s
Spondylolysis
Treatment
Minor acute injuries can be treated with rest, ice, compression, and elevation, aka R.I.C.E. Overuse injuries, are different as the injury has been gradually increasing in its severity, possibly causing scar tissue and ganglion cysts to develop. To prevent the injury from worsening, it’s recommended to see a sports injury chiropractor or physical therapist. These professionals can help heal the body and educate the individual on self-care and prevention.
Chiropractic
The musculoskeletal system takes a beating. Chronic injuries usually affect the bones, joints, muscles, or a combination. Chiropractic helps keep the musculoskeletal system limber and in proper alignment. Adjustments include:
Neck adjustments
Arm and hand adjustments
Shoulder adjustments
Knee adjustments
Hip adjustments
Foot adjustments
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy for a chronic injury can help prevent future injuries. A physical therapist helps:
Improve range of motion
Reduces pain and swelling
Increases strength
Whether an athlete or is just staying active and having some fun with sports, acute and chronic injuries can sneak up and worsen if they are not treated properly. Healing with the help of a professional can quicken recovery time and prevent future injuries.
Body Composition
Maintain Muscle Mass While Losing Fat
Individuals who want to lose weight should focus on losing excess fat tissue, not muscle mass. Studies have shown that diet and exercise are crucial to preserving Skeletal Muscle Mass while losing weight. Losing weight healthily includes:
A healthy balance of cardio and resistance training to burn calories and build muscle.
Wörtler, K, and C Schäffeler. “Akute Sportverletzungen und chronische Überlastungsschäden an Vor- und Mittelfuß” [Acute sports injuries and chronic overuse stress damage to the forefoot and midfoot]. Der Radiologe vol. 55,5 (2015): 417-32. doi:10.1007/s00117-015-2855-3
Yang, Jingzhen et al. “Epidemiology of overuse and acute injuries among competitive collegiate athletes.” Journal of athletic training vol. 47,2 (2012): 198-204. doi:10.4085/1062-6050-47.2.198
High school football takes a toll on the body. The sport can cause all kinds of injuries that can range from mild – severe. Areas that are commonly injured include:
Head
Neck
Shoulder
Arms
Hands
Spine
Legs
Knees
Ankles
Feet
Chiropractic has become a medically recommended form of treatment and rehabilitation for these injuries but also injury prevention. Today all NFL teams utilize a chiropractic team for players and staff. College teams are also discovering the benefits that chiropractic offers. There are significant benefits that high school football players can attain from chiropractic care.
Enhanced Mobility
A chiropractic adjustment, technically known as chiropractic manipulative treatment/CMT, is a primary therapy in sports medicine. It helps to increase flexibility and minimize or eliminate pain during motion/movement. Adjustments have been shown to improve athletic performance.
Injury Prevention
Athletes who regularly use chiropractic experience a decline in sports-related injuries.
Treatment increases flexibility and mobility, allowing for optimal agility that has been linked to preventing injuries. This is because the body is relaxed and stays loose, even when tackled, instead of tensing up, which is a major contributor to strains and injuries.
Enhanced Strength
Chiropractic adjustments also help increase muscular strength, making the body stronger, and more resistant to injury. It has been shown to promote strength in the muscles after a few sessions effectively. The strengthened muscles also help avoid injury by being able to withstand the hits and recover faster. The strengthened body also helps to increase endurance and stamina.
Pain Relief
Many high school players use chiropractic to ease the general pain that comes from general practice and games. Adjustments and massage are highly effective for pain management and alleviate headaches, especially those that come from constant impact to the head and neck. It helps to alleviate soreness, stiffness, and pain from the entire body.
Sports Hernia
Athletes often experience athletic pubalgia. This is one of the most common causes of injury-related groin pain. Chiropractic can relieve the discomfort within 8 weeks in combination with rehabilitative stretches and exercises. Chiropractic plays a critical role in whole-body care, pain relief and keeps the body operating and performing at the highest level.
Body Composition
Water Intoxication
When an individual overwhelms their body’s ability to excrete water and waste products consumed, water intoxication can develop. Water intoxication causes disturbances in the body’s electrolyte balance. This can cause a life-threatening condition known as hyponatremia. With a rapid decrease in the sodium levels in the blood, relative to the amount of water, symptoms can develop rapidly:
If left untreated, later symptoms can develop into:
Seizures
Coma
Death
References
Hession, E F, and G D Donald. “Treatment of multiple lumbar disk herniations in an adolescent athlete utilizing flexion distraction and rotational manipulation.” Journal of manipulative and physiological therapeutics vol. 16,3 (1993): 185-92.
Pritchett, J W. “A statistical study of physician care patterns in high school football injuries.” The American journal of sports medicine vol. 10,2 (1982): 96-9. doi:10.1177/036354658201000206
Shane, Eric R et al. “Sports chiropractic management of concussions using the Sports Concussion Assessment Tool 2 symptom scoring, serial examinations, and graded return to play protocol: a retrospective case series.” Journal of chiropractic medicine vol. 12,4 (2013): 252-9. doi:10.1016/j.jcm.2013.08.001
Around a half-million high school students in the U.S. play volleyball. Whether the parent of a volleyball player or part of a recreational league, the goal is to be ready for the season, which means preventing and addressing volleyball injuries. It is a highly demanding sport with quick movements, jumping, twisting, diving, spiking, etc. Despite being fit and healthy, extensive training along with match play takes a toll on the body. Chiropractic can benefit volleyball players.
Common Volleyball Injuries
Why Chiropractic Works
Chiropractic treatment and rehabilitation, especially by a sports chiropractor, is recommended for volleyball injuries because it addresses acute and chronic injuries to all areas of the body. Chiropractic treats the entire musculoskeletal system. Proper joint alignment from chiropractic adjustments in the spine and throughout the body maintains the biomechanic integrity. This reduces high-impact forces in the joints. Soft tissue treatments like instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization can help resolve injuries by providing the tissues with more blood flow into the affected area allowing for faster healing. Most volleyball injuries result from overuse to the joints and muscles, resulting in repetitive strain. In volleyball, repetitive/overuse injuries are common in the knees, ankles, and shoulders. This comes from all the jumping, serving, and spiking.
Player Benefits
Body Soreness Is Reduced/Alleviated
Many athletes, including volleyball players, do not get the proper recovery time from training or playing.
Reduced recovery periods cause body soreness and stiffness that can overlap into an injury.
Chiropractic can reduce and alleviate body soreness.
Chiropractic promotes faster recovery.
Optimal Performance
Studies show that athletes that receive regular chiropractic care found speed and mobility performance enhanced.
Athletes require fast reflexes and optimal hand-eye coordination.
Speed, mobility, reflexes, and coordination depend on a healthy nervous system.
90% of the central nervous system travels through the spine.
Spinal alignment can either allow for proper nerve flow or disrupt nerve flow.
Even when just one spinal segment is misaligned and out of place, the nervous system can impact reflexes, speed, mobility, and hand-eye coordination.
A properly functioning spine and nervous system will ensure the player is at their best.
Faster Injury Recovery Time
Healing the body properly takes time. Just like the body needs sleep/rest to function properly, so it is with injuries.
The issue for athletes is how much time healing takes.
Individual athletes receiving chiropractic care have been shown to heal faster.
Mobility and Strength
A chiropractic doctor can reduce the pressure around the nerve roots that exit the spine, which will help improve player performance. This includes:
Range of motion
Mobility and flexibility
Strength
Endurance
To find out how chiropractic can help, contact Injury Medical Chiropractic and Functional Medicine Clinic. We will perform a thorough musculoskeletal and nervous system examination.
Ankle Sprain Treatment
How Many Calories Over 24 hours
Myths that offer strategies that avoid the hard work and commitment that diet and exercise demand should be avoided. Individuals cannot expect to experience healthy body composition changes by increasing/decreasing meal frequency if they are living a sedentary lifestyle. It is not important how often or what time an individual takes in calories (has a meal). What is important is how many calories an individual has over a 24-hour period. A study looked at healthy individuals that ate one large meal a day for two weeks and then later ate the same meal but spread out over five smaller meals for another two weeks. It was concluded that there was no statistical difference in body weight gain or loss between the two eating methods. 2000 calories over 3 meals is the same 2000 calories consumed over 5 meals. There is no substitute for proper diet and exercise. The focus should be on what and how much you eat.
References
Eerkes, Kevin. “Volleyball injuries.” Current sports medicine reports vol. 11,5 (2012): 251-6. doi:10.1249/JSR.0b013e3182699037
Gouttebarge, Vincent et al. “Preventing musculoskeletal injuries among recreational adult volleyball players: design of a randomized prospective controlled trial.” BMC musculoskeletal disorders vol. 18,1 333. 2 Aug. 2017, doi:10.1186/s12891-017-1699-6
Kilic, O et al. “Incidence, etiology, and prevention of musculoskeletal injuries in volleyball: A systematic review of the literature.” European journal of sports science vol. 17,6 (2017): 765-793. doi:10.1080/17461391.2017.1306114
Seminati, Elena, and Alberto Enrico Minetti. “Overuse in volleyball training/practice: A review on the shoulder and spine-related injuries.” European journal of sports science vol. 13,6 (2013): 732-43. doi:10.1080/17461391.2013.773090
Wolfram, G et al. “Thermogenese des menschen bei unterschiedlicher mahlzeitenhäufigkeit” [Thermogenesis in humans after varying meal time frequency]. Annals of nutrition & metabolism vol. 31,2 (1987): 88-97. doi:10.1159/000177255
Kinesio taping is common for injuries, but can also be effective for non-sports related injuries/ailments. Kinesio taping is a rehabilitative therapeutic taping method that facilitates the body�s ability to heal naturally. The tape provides support, and stability for muscles, and joints without restricting motion. Plus there is added soft tissue support prolonging the tape’s effectiveness. The technique can have added benefits when combined with chiropractic. This technique is the norm among athletes nowadays but can benefit everybody. As a chiropractic physician, I use the technique for:
Sports injuries
Sprains
Strains
Injury Prevention
Pregnancy
The taping involves applying the tape over and around muscles stimulating them to send neuromuscular signals that optimize performance and helps injuries heal naturally. This is a versatile treatment that can benefit everyone.
Pain Relief
We all get strained, overused muscles that can cause tension and soreness. Millions suffer from neck, upper, mid, and low back pain from poor posture or sitting all day. It reduces pain by relieving the pressure on the strained or injured area. According to a study, stroke patients with shoulder pain experienced relief and reduction in shoulder pain after three weeks of Kinesio Taping intervention. Another study published in the Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation had similar results for reduced pain in patients with tennis elbow. Kinesio tape therapy can improve pain symptoms while continuing to heal the specific muscle/s.
Reduce Inflammation
It also reduces pressure on the lymphatic system, which removes fluid from the tissues. Reduced pressure allows the body to drain fluids like lactic acid that can build up in an injured area. This benefit goes beyond just healing injuries. It helps reduce inflammation and swelling after surgery and with inflammatory conditions like lymphedema. Kinesio could be beneficial for individuals with chronic inflammatory conditions.
Overused Muscle Recovery
Taping improves blood flow, the delivery of oxygen, and nutrients to the affected area, which helps overused muscles heal quickly. This added benefit is one of the reasons taping is now used in everyday practice to treat:
Taping helps improve overall function. This is a key factor for optimal healing. A study found elderly patients with degenerative knee arthritis tried the therapy and experienced reduced pain, stiffness, improved knee joint function, and increased overall motion. For improved function Kinesio is commonly used on the:
Ankles
Back
Feet
Knees
Shoulders
Overall Benefits
One of the most important benefits, it comes without side effects from prescription meds.
It provides support without restricting the muscle�s range of motion
Individuals can continue to be active and not worry about overstretching the injured muscle/s, as the tape will let them know.
The tape can be worn 24-hours a day for several days per application.
This Kinesio taping technique is currently used by thousands of:
Physical therapists
Occupational therapists
Chiropractors
Medical doctors
Certified athletic trainers
Massage therapists
Correct Bad Posture with Functional Foot Orthotics
Dr. Alex Jimenez�s Blog Post Disclaimer
The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, and sensitive health issues and/or functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Our posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate and support directly or indirectly our clinical scope of practice.*
Our office has made a reasonable attempt to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We also make copies of supporting research studies available to the board and or the public upon request. We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation as to how it may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900. The provider(s) Licensed in Texas& New Mexico*
Chiropractic athletics is a natural treatment focused on athletes and sports injuries. It is a non-surgical, non-drug option that can help individual athletes prevent injury/s from happening, maintain optimal athletic performance, and relives sports musculoskeletal injuries.Athletes of all types can benefit from chiropractic athletics.
Sports leagues and professional athletes including Major League Baseball and the National Football League have full-time chiropractors on their teams. Athletes from all over the world utilize chiropractic medicine. With the advancement in sports technology, intense training and superb athleticism come injuries that can turn into game-ending conditions. Because of this, there is a wide variety of treatment needs and is where chiropractic athletics comes in.
�
Commonly athletes are referred to chiropractors for neck, lower back, and extremity conditions. Chiropractic athletics help them get them back into play after an injury faster, with added flexibility and agility. And for those without injuries chiropractic helps athletes prevent injuries by increasing strength and power to help perform at peak level.
Chiropractic sports doctors are highly trained with the tools and skills that will optimize the performance of an athlete’s musculoskeletal and nervous system. This training is what allows these athletic chiropractors to provide sports therapy/s that is focused on maintaining agility, flexibility, strength, and quick rehabilitation after an injury. Why chiropractic athletics should be essential?
�
Chiropractic Athletic Importance
Regular chiropractic improves range of motion. Athletes place intense pressure on their bodies when training, weight-lifting, and playing. This can shift the spine out of alignment affecting movement, along with the rest of the body, generating a high probability of injury.
Athletes have to deal with soreness, stiffness, and pain from their basic training regiment. An injury can easily compound the soreness into something more severe. Spinal alignment problems can cause the range of motion to be hindered and limited, inhibiting overall ability. Chiropractic athletics undoes the damage. Once a chiropractic regiment is in place injury prevention kicks in, all the while keeping the athlete moving pain-free. �
�
Pain Reduction
Anyone especially the strongest athletes can have an episode of back pain, specifically in the low back. A chiropractor promotes proper alignment and movement of the delicate spine. Chiropractors can recommend treatments both professional and self-care that will reduce all types of back pain short and long-term. Research confirms that a manual spine manipulation is an effective form of pain relief.
�
Less Need for Pain Meds
Too often aches and pain are treated with pain meds, cortisone shots, and other drugs that provide short-term relief. Chiropractic is drug-free. This means athletes are not subject to side effects or dependencies that unfortunately arise from prescription med use.
Because of the increasing dependency on opioids, the American College of Physicians has updated their guidelines when it comes to low back pain, a very common reason for opioid prescriptions. Now, those with low back pain are encouraged to utilize various complementary and alternative medicine techniques that include chiropractic spinal manipulation before having to use prescription medication.
�
Non-invasive
Chiropractic is non-surgical and can provide relief from injuries throughout the body. It can even serve as an alternative to surgery/s that would keep athletes on the sidelines because of a long recovery period. Treatments include:
All of these can be used to treat athletic injury.
�
Athletic Benefits
Whether a neighborhood sports league or advanced competitive league athletes need chiropractic specialists for injury treatment to get them back to play. Kids are now traveling at a younger age meaning more practices and tournaments. Kids are also committing to only one sport early on. This is known as specializing. A study by The American Journal of Sports Medicine found that athletes that specialize too early are subject to continued injury/s. �
�
Chiropractic decreases recovery time
Normal wear and tear happens to all of us but can wear down faster especially in an extremely healthy athlete�s body.
A baseball pitcher uses a consistent repetitive throwing motion.
A volleyball player jumps, constantly hitting and blocking.
A skateboarder falls repeatedly, sometimes over one-hundred times trying to land a trick.
At some point and quite often an athlete experiences muscle fatigue and soreness. Practices and games have only a few days between them. Younger athletes and their growing bodies need a lot more than rest to keep them in shape. After practice or a game, a chiropractor can do some soft tissue massage or instrument-assisted soft tissue techniques to make the muscles, tendons, ligaments, and joints flexible, relaxed, with decreased lactic acid, and improved blood circulation.
Physical therapy and the equipment used like ultrasound or cold laser therapy can be used to help with areas that are highly inflamed. This along with adjustments can improve joint mobility. Chiropractic athletics also helps with proper rehydration and customized dietary plans to assist with recovery and maintaining top-level performance. �
Lacrosse players experience knee injuries and muscle strains
Chiropractic adjusting of joint segments, no longer moving, can enhance mechanical motion. Soft tissue techniques improve muscle tone and blood flow to injured areas and decrease tissue buildup around the injured areas. Chiropractic along with the aforementioned treatment options can significantly reduce inflammation and pain.
All of these treatment options can be enhanced with Kinesio Taping. It can add support and various taping techniques can assist in blood circulation to the injured area. A sports chiropractor has a complete understanding of sports injury repair and knows the proper guidelines for safely returning the athlete to their sport. �
�
Health and Wellness
Athletes have to focus on body awareness, health, diet, and optimal function. But they also need to be injury prepared through preventive awareness. Think of it as defensive driving. A chiropractor can assist an athlete with:
Proper training strategies that can become life-long habits
Body mechanic evaluation
Gait analysis
Continually keeping an athlete�s body in top form, allows them to train more efficiently and effectively.
�
A Vital Role
With athletes training year-round and specializing earlier, chiropractic assistance can keep an athlete at a top level of body function. Chiropractic combined with certified athletic trainers can help with muscle development, ligament, and tendon stability. These specialists play a vital role in obtaining and maintaining whole-body wellness.
�
Consider Chiropractic
Chiropractic athletics includes a whole health assessment to ensure there are no underlying issues that could be contributing to an injury, or that could cause future problems. Athletes, consider seeing a chiropractor regularly for those that want to maintain physical strength and range of motion, or if they want to recover from an injury without taking prescription meds and surgery. Sports performance will improve when the body is in alignment and pain-free!
�
Functional Fitness Fellas
Dr. Alex Jimenez�s Blog Post Disclaimer
The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, and sensitive health issues and/or functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Our posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate and support directly or indirectly our clinical scope of practice.*
Our office has made a reasonable attempt to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We also make copies of supporting research studies available to the board and or the public upon request. We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation as to how it may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900. The provider(s) Licensed in Texas& New Mexico*
All individuals that participate in some form of sports or athletic training, professionals to weekend sports enthusiasts are at risk for back and neck injuries. Common injuries include strains, and sprains, pulls, and tears especially around the low back area. If left untreated these injuries can lead to chronic back pain or more severe conditions.
Although we can’t prevent all sports injuries, here are some sports tips to keep your spine healthy.
1.� Warm-Up and Stretch
Properly warming up with stretching exercises increases blood circulation and improves the flexibility of muscles and ligaments. This is not only for helping enhance athletic performance but prevents injuries by keeping the muscles/ligaments loose so if any type of collision, tear, or pull occurs the stretched muscles stay relaxed and do not tense up or contract, which helps reduce the severity of an injury. To stretch properly:
Stretch time on each part of the body is also 10-30 seconds
Stretch after the game to relieve sore or tight muscles
2. Use Proper Sport Equipment
All sports have a risk of injury. In general, the more contact there is the higher the risk of injury.
To reduce the risk of injury athletes should wear protective equipment that goes with their sport like neck rolls, shoulder, elbow and knee pads.
Well made and supportive shoes combined with custom orthotics are a must.
Other types of equipment include:
Helmet
Pads elbow, wrist, chest, knee, shins
Mouthpiece
Faceguard
Protective cup
Eye protection
3. Stay Hydrated
Injuries caused by heat occur as a result of�high temperatures, humidity and excessive/overdoing it. To avoid these serious injuries:
Drink plenty of water before, during, and after playing.
Try to avoid play or practice during extreme heat and humidity.
Wear lightweight clothing/uniform with maximum ability to allow sweat to evaporate.
Take plenty of breaks or periods of rest to allow the body to recover and recuperate.
4. Don’t Overwork/Overdo it
Repetitive Motion Disorders like tennis elbow, bursitis, and tendonitis, happen when movements e.g. swinging motions that go with the sport like tennis, bowling, golf, etc are repeated over and over and cause injury/damage to those parts of the body. To avoid overuse injury try:
Take plenty of breaks during practice and games. Do not power through it!
Use proper/correct form and techniques. If unsure then take lessons to make sure you are doing it correctly.
See a doctor if any pain or muscle fatigue, inflammation, swelling, or compression of nerve tissue present.
Cross-training can strengthen muscle groups and those areas that take the most force.
5. Stay Ready for Play with a Healthy Lifestyle
Besides sports, try to find ways to improve general health through a healthy lifestyle:
Get plenty of sleep, the body/mind needs to recover from all the activity.
Consult a doctor before beginning any new exercise program.
Staying fit, healthy and ready for play means preventing injuries from happening.� By being aware of how to prevent injuries with these basic tips, which feel free to take it further and raise the probability of avoiding back and all sports injuries.
As El Paso�s Chiropractic Rehabilitation Clinic & Integrated Medicine Center,�we passionately are focused on treating patients after frustrating injuries and chronic pain syndromes. We focus on improving your ability through flexibility, mobility and agility programs tailored for all age groups and disabilities.
*BEST* Heel Spurs Treatment | El Paso, Tx (2020)
NCBI Resources
Extension sports like gymnastics, tennis, swimming, diving, football, volleyball, basketball, track and field, cricket have the most pronounced extension/rotation on the spine. With a normal extension of the lumbar spine (or backward bending), the facet joints begin to approximate each other and compress. This is a normal biomechanical movement. However, if the extension ranges are excessive, the procedures will impinge quite aggressively and damage to the cartilage surfaces within the facet joint can result.
IFM's Find A Practitioner tool is the largest referral network in Functional Medicine, created to help patients locate Functional Medicine practitioners anywhere in the world. IFM Certified Practitioners are listed first in the search results, given their extensive education in Functional Medicine
