06 Sep Chiropractic Care: A Winning Treatment for Sports Injuries
Involvement in sports offers people of all ages great physical and psychological benefits. The only downside may be that it also creates an opportunity to be injured.
Injuries may throw your life and health out of balance, but knowing how to prevent and heal them can make all the difference. We diagnose and treat a variety of sports injuries at Eastern Oklahoma Chiropractic to help you get back in the game as soon as possible.
Common Types of Sports Injuries
Sports injuries happen frequently in the United States. Among children and teenagers, according to Stanford Children’s Health, more than 3.5 million are hurt playing sports every year. Young people are more prone to be injured because they’re still growing, are less coordinated, and are more likely to overestimate their abilities.
No matter your age, many injuries happen due to preventable factors, such as overuse/repetitive strain, starting a new sport after being inactive, not warming up, poor technique, or even wearing the wrong shoes.
Typical injuries include:
- Fractures and dislocations
- Swelling of muscles
- Strains (affecting ligaments) and sprains (affecting muscles or tendons)
- Damage to joint areas such as the knee or rotator cuff
What to do if You Suffer a Sports Injury
Many injuries can be prevented by warming up, cooling down, and stretching. When muscles are cold, they lack flexibility and can’t respond as well to sudden movements.
Chiropractors understand the value of noninvasive treatments. If you suffer a minor injury, you can start treatment using the RICE method:
- Rest
- Ice
- Compression
- Elevation
Be alert to signs that you need immediate medical attention:
- Inability to put weight or pressure on the injured area
- Major pain and swelling
- Lumps or protrusions through the skin
- Feeling weak, dizzy or unstable
- Trouble breathing
The Role of a Strong Spine in Protecting Your Joints and Muscles
Whether your injury is mild or serious, or even before you’re injured, you can benefit from ensuring that you have a healthy, strong core and spine.
A well-aligned spine is at the core of all the movements your joints and muscles make. It helps to keep your entire body moving properly and your nervous system and reflexes functioning at their best. Achieving good core strength and alignment is essential to avoiding injury, as well as having a successful recovery if you do get hurt.
How Regular Chiropractic Care Helps Prevent Sports Injuries and Relieve Pain
Pro sports teams know the value of chiropractic care and commonly have chiropractors as part of their training programs.
With their expertise in the musculoskeletal system, chiropractors are valuable contributors to standard medical care. They provide a variety of safe, non-invasive, drug-free therapies that minimize pain and swelling, improve joint function and promote healing.
Whether you’re an elite athlete or an everyday sports enthusiast, chiropractic care improves your mobility, strength and balance. Your customized treatment plan will help to prevent and minimize injury, boost performance, and keep you out there engaging in the sport you enjoy.
Contact Eastern Oklahoma Chiropractic for Your Complimentary Consultation
Give our Broken Arrow office a call at 918-940-4630.