How Chiropractic Can Help Athletes Overcome Overuse Injuries
There are many people who love playing sports. This is a great way to not only stay in shape but also learn about teamwork, discipline, commitment, and perseverance. At the same time, an injury can happen at any time. It makes sense that athletes want to get back on the field as quickly as possible; however, it is also important to do this safely. One of the most common types of injuries that athletes might suffer is called an overuse injury. It is important for everyone to understand what an overuse injury is and how chiropractors can help athletes overcome this injury.
What Is an Overuse Injury?
Even though there are some injuries that take place acutely, such as a torn ligament or a broken bone, there are other injuries that can happen slowly, over an extended amount of time. When athletes use the same set of muscles, ligaments, and tendons over and over again, this can lead to inflammation. Some of the signs of inflammation include:
- Pain
- Warmth
- Swelling
- A Reduced Range of Motion
- Tightness in an Area of the Body
Even though athletes can often push through an overuse injury, this is not recommended. This is because other parts of the body are going to have to pick up the slack, which can lead to acute injuries on top of a chronic problem. The good news is that chiropractors are able to help athletes deal with overuse injuries effectively.
Chiropractors Can Fix Asymmetries in the Body
One of the most common reasons why athletes develop overuse injuries is that there is an asymmetry in certain parts of the body. There are usually two opposing muscle groups that must be in balance. For example, people have muscles that both flex and extend the leg. If these muscles are not in proper balance, then this could lead to an overuse injury, as one muscle group is overpowered. Chiropractors are able to identify these asymmetries and recommend exercise programs to fix them, preventing overuse injuries from happening.
Increase the Range of Motion in the Body
Another way that chiropractors can help athletes overcome overuse injuries is by increasing the range of motion. With chiropractic adjustments, the body will be able to move freely. Athletes who often feel a spasm or a cramp due to an overuse injury are usually suffering from a restricted range of motion. By relieving this restriction, the body is going to be able to do what it does naturally.
This is particularly helpful for baseball pitchers, who are prone to developing overuse injuries in the shoulder or elbow. Tight muscles are not going to be holding the pitcher back from a complete delivery.
Chiropractors Can Promote Faster Healing
Finally, one of the biggest reasons why athletes develop overuse injuries is that they do not give their muscles enough time to recover in between workouts, games, or matches. One of the ways to fix this is through faster healing. By using chiropractic adjustments, the body will be placed in a position to heal naturally. When the tendons, muscles, ligaments, and bones are properly aligned, they recover more quickly. As a result, the body is ready to go when it is called upon during the next practice or game. This can prevent overuse injuries from happening.
Rely on the Help of a Trained Chiropractor
Any athlete who has experienced an injury needs to reline a chiropractor during this recovery process. The goal is to not only treat acute and chronic injuries but also prevent them from happening in the future. By placing the body in a position to recover naturally, athletes will spend more time on the field and less time on the examination table.