Chiropractic Care: Alternative and Preventive Medicine for Athletes

Chiropractic Care: Alternative and Preventive Medicine for Athletes

It has become apparent in recent years that chiropractic care is becoming an essential treatment method for anyone suffering from a sport-related injury. Professional and amateur athletes alike have come to rely on the treatment provided by chiropractors to relieve pain, enhance performance, and reduce the risk of injury. Chiropractors use their extensive knowledge of the body's natural healing abilities to help an athlete maintain physical fitness or assist in getting them back into top shape after an injury.

Many athletes suffer from injuries to their neck, back, knees, shoulders and hips during the course of their career. Relieving the pain is the first concern of the chiropractor, who will then attempt to get to the root of the problem by determining the true cause of the injury. This method of treatment is certainly preferable to surgery, which can take an athlete out of the game for lengthy periods of time.
The chiropractor works without the use of drugs, relying instead on the manipulation of the nerves and muscles within the body to aid in the healing process. Often times, if the injury is minor, it only takes a few visits for the body to be back into peak condition. The chiropractor will then advise the athlete how to keep his or her body in good shape through exercise and nutrition to avoid further mishaps.
Preventative care is also provided by a sports chiropractor to allow any athlete to reduce the risk of injury while playing sports. Golf, football and baseball, and a host of other sports are potential sources of injury to the people who are involved. Knowing ahead of time how to properly care for the body can significantly reduce the risk of being hurt or injured while participating in any sport. In fact, many professional sports teams have a chiropractor as part of the regular medical team.
Chiropractors use specific protocols to optimize physical fitness or treat certain injuries that occur to an athlete. The injury may be treated with heat and ice therapy, massage, ultrasound, and exercises designed to rehabilitate the body naturally. Preventative measures may be in the form of exercises designed to improve flexibility, coordination and balance, and give greater range of motion. All have been specifically designed to improve functionality and performance, prevent further injury, and avoid the possibility of surgery.

Thomas writes for TommyButcher.com and is a Online Marketing Director for Onsharp in Fargo, ND. Onsharp helps companies take their business "virtually" anywhere.

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