If you play sport regularly, chances are you’ve had an injury or two in the past. Whether you participate for fun or are a professional or semi-professional athlete, pushing your body harder than normal always comes with some degree of risk. Since most sports are either high impact, require repetitive movements, or a combination of the two, the pressure on the musculoskeletal system is persistent which can result in injury. Sprains, strains, tears and fractures are some of the most common injuries sustained during sports activities.

If you’ve suffered any sort of sports injury, you’ll probably be familiar with the pain and inconvenience it can cause. It can take a long time to recover, and in the meantime, your performance could be compromised. Fortunately, chiropractic care offers you an effective way to get back on your feet quickly. Here are some of the key benefits of chiropractic care for common sports injuries.

Chiropractic treatment is non-invasive

Nobody wants to have invasive treatment if they can avoid it, including athletes. Fortunately, all chiropractic treatment techniques are non-invasive. This means no incisions and no need for anaesthetic. Some chiropractors may recommend acupuncture, which does involve the use of ultra-fine needles. However, these typically don’t cause any discomfort since they are so thin, and patients do not consider the treatment to be invasive. Your chiropractor will be able to advise you which techniques will be most effective to treat the issues that you are experiencing.

Chiropractic treatment is drug free

This is another important benefit for athletes. Chiropractors look to find the source of pain or injury and treat it there, rather than just the effects it causes. The techniques used in chiropractic treatment stimulate your circulation, increasing the rate at which blood and nutrients reach injured areas so that inflammation and subsequent pain is reduced. Chiropractic treatment also triggers the release of natural pain-relieving endorphins, reducing your reliance on pain medications.

Heal quicker

Sports injuries can easily put you out of play for weeks or even months at a time. Fortunately, chiropractic treatment can help you to heal quickly, meaning that you can get back to the activities that you enjoy. This is because aligning your spine will allow all of your body systems to work more effectively, including your natural healing processes. As blood, oxygen and nutrients rush to the areas that need them, healing accelerates and symptoms associated with your injury reduce.

Patients can enjoy improved mobility

Unsurprisingly, pain and inflammation can dramatically reduce your natural mobility, causing increased discomfort and stiffness whenever you try to move. By reducing inflammation, it is possible for your chiropractor to help improve your range of motion. In fact, people who have regular chiropractic appointments often find that their overall flexibility is improved as a result of their treatment.

Prevent future injuries and enhance performance

Despite injuries being a common occurrence in sport, it’s not surprising that every athlete would prefer to avoid them if they can. Chiropractic treatment can help. Regular visits to your chiropractor will enable them to identify any weaknesses or imbalances that could put you at greater risk of being injured. Chiropractors can help you strengthen these areas and develop techniques that could help you to overcome future injuries. They can also provide you with valuable information and advice about the best way to train and recover from your chosen sport to minimize your risk of future injury.

If you have suffered a sports injury and would like more advice or to schedule an appointment, please contact our friendly and knowledgeable chiropractic team at Aktive Integrative Chiropractic in El Paso, Texas at (915) 975-9094.