These counterparts even exist in the world’s most popular sport. More professional and amateur athletes participate in soccer than in any sport in the world. Soccer requires both physical skill and mental strategy to work as a team with the singular objective of kicking the ball into the opposing team’s goal. The most interesting and unique aspect of soccer involves players pursuing their objective without being able to touch the ball with their hands. The rules make soccer both challenging and fun while also subjecting players to significant short and long-term health challenges and sports injury.

What makes soccer different?

Players compensate for their hands by advancing and scoring using their feet, chest, and head to kick, block, or pass the ball. One method of advancing a ball in flight involves executing a “header”. This is when a player impacts the ball by using their head and forehead to impact and direct the ball. Such collisions do not occur without consequence.

Just how much damage happens with a header?

Research showed the amount of force generated while completing a header averages as much as 450 lbs. on the head, neck, and spine. The study revealed that the cervical spine absorbs a significant amount of force when a player uses their head to strike the ball. Degeneration of the cervical spine (neck vertebrae) for some soccer players occurs as much as 10-20 years earlier in than that of the normal population. The advanced health deterioration originates from the high impact trauma to the neck vertebrae caused by heading the ball. Other significant pathologies found in the spines of soccer players included disc bulging, bone spurs, disc protrusions, loss of the normal neck curve, and spinal cord compression.

These traumatic consequences originate from heading a soccer ball regularly.

The forward movement of the head towards the ball creates a collision which poses significant long-term health risks along with sports injury. Many soccer players establish and maintain a health-restoring relationship with a Chiropractor for the sake of their long-term performance and wellness. All soccer players need to understand the importance of proactive care and prevention for the trauma inflicted by repeated collisions to the head and neck. Waiting until pain and symptoms surface usually indicates the already existing presence of degenerative damage. Chiropractic adjustments keep the spine in alignment and moving properly to avoid the buildup of adhesions which lead to scar tissue and degeneration. The spine also provides stress-reducing side effects from each adjustment that removes stress from the central nervous system.

Other precautions and action steps that accompany Chiropractic care to mitigate long term spinal damage from soccer include: 

• Insist all players learn and implement proper heading techniques.
• Engage with a Chiropractor regularly to ensure that every athlete maintains proper alignment and movement throughout the spine.
• Utilize neck extension exercises and use a proper pillow.
• Strengthen and stretch the extensor muscles of the back on a regular basis.
• Consume a diet filled with anti-inflammatory foods and spices. Excellent food choices include avocados, coconut oil, green leafy vegetables, and turmeric.

The post Chiropractic and Spinal Care Protects Soccer Players from Long-Term Health Hazards Associated with Sports Injury and Neck Degeneration first appeared on Chiropractor Broken Arrow.

The likelihood of enduring a concussion decreases as a person ages. High school aged individuals tend to maintain some of the most active schedules and face an increased susceptibility to experiencing an incident of head trauma. An estimated 2.5 million high school students reported having experienced a concussion in 2017 related to athletics or activities during the preceding year. Concussions impact body structures and tissues and impact all facets of proper function. Younger people also require longer recovery times than adults and require proper attention to cognitive, effective, and behavioral symptoms.

Statistics 15.1% of students reporting a concussion believed they may have had more than one during the previous year. 6% reported experiencing more than two. Diving further into the statistics reveals that the likelihood of a concussion increases for athletes playing multiple sports (16.7%, 22.9%, and 30.3%, respectively). Yet, students not participating in athletics experience very similar chances of head trauma from Band, Dance, Cheer, and other noncontact activities.

Additional concern exists for the under-reporting of concussions. Approximately 40% of students experiencing a concussion reported that their coach or sponsor did not recognize the symptoms of the injury. Participating in activities after experiencing a concussion increases the likelihood of a repeat injury or a more severe condition. High school athletic associations mandate concussion education for high school coaches and teachers to help ensure injured participants do not engage in activities until receiving clearance from a healthcare provider.

Chiropractic plays an important role in the health and recovery of every person afflicted with a concussion. The body possesses established tissue injury thresholds. Excessive acceleration or deceleration of the head and neck usually produces concurrent injury to the joints and soft tissues of the cervical spine. Evidence-based research proves that injury and dysfunction of the cervical spine results in numerous signs and symptoms synonymous with concussions, including headaches, dizziness, and cognitive and visual dysfunction.

Clear evidence indicates that scientifically based spinal assessments and rehabilitation positively enhance the healing process following an incident of brain trauma from a concussion. Addressing cervical spine dysfunction continues to be a critical element in concussion recovery as evidence and data advocate for proper recovery methods. Chiropractic offers a pain free method for returning the body to a state of maximized function and restored health. Using a Chiropractic approach to concussion treatment does more than just treat symptoms. Chiropractic care revitalizes performance and restores quality of life.

The post Concussions and Chiropractic: Research Proves Chiropractic Plays a Pivotal Role in Concussion Recovery first appeared on Chiropractor Broken Arrow.