Chiropractic treatment for sports performance & injury prevention

​What do Jason Day, Usain Bolt, Michael Phelps, Kobe Bryant, Venus Williams, Novak Djokovic and Cadel Evans all have in common?  They all include regular chiropractic care as part of their health plan to help them achieve their peak performance.

In the past, chiropractors were not common members of sports medicine teams at the Olympics and other world class sporting events.  However because of the amazing results that athletes have achieved through introducing chiropractic care into their preparations privately, they are now insisting that chiropractors become key members of the Sports Medicine teams that accompany them to these international meets.

​So what are the benefits that our favourite sports stars are discovering from their chiropractic check-ups?  Well for a start there is the more obvious role that a chiropractor fulfills as a musculoskeletal expert, in their ability to come to an early diagnosis and prompt treatment of sporting injuries, which can achieve reduced pain and decreased severity of an injury.

But what really excites all athletes both professional and amateur alike, is the natural boost that many can experience in their sporting performance, such as strength, speed, balance, increased reaction and/or recovery times.

Whilst the research into how so many athletes can be achieving these great results with chiropractic still has a lot further to go, some of the discoveries that have been made include the impact that chiropractic can have on:

• muscle inhibition
• The muscle’s ability to generate force or strength,
• Reaction time
• Training Stamina
• Personal record times
• Flexibility of muscles
• Balance

So how can this result in injury prevention?  According to Sports Medicine Australia “soft tissue injuries are the most common injury in sport” and “the biggest risk factor for soft tissue injury, is a previous injury”.  As an athlete (professional or amateur), it therefore makes sense to look after your soft tissues (muscles, tendons and ligaments) to clear out the residual effects of old injuries that you are aware of as well as the cumulative minor sprains and strains that you may not be aware of …..yet.

Also, an athlete who is not dealing with muscle inhibition, unexpected loss of strength, earlier fatigue points, reduced flexibility and balance is quite clearly an athlete who will be less prone to injury.

There are so many elements that are introduced into an elite athletes’ plan leading up to a major event that give them the advantage over the rest of us mere mortals.  Many of these are out of our reach.  However, chiropractic care is within your grasp.  Why not see what it can do for you?

References:

1. Theberge,N. The integration of Chiropractors into healthcare teams: a case study from sports medicine.  Sociology of Health and Illness.  2007 Aug;30(1):19-34
2. LaCaze J, Fort T. Golf and chiropractic: two professions merge to help golfers achieve performance goals.  Todays Chiropractic.  2003;32(3):46-54
3. Uchacz GP. 2010 Olympic winter games chiropractic: the making of history.  J Canadian Chiropractic Association.  2010;44(1):14-16
4. Kazemi M. Sports  Chiropractic in Canada. J Canadian Chiropractic Association.  2009;53(4):231-232
5. Chapman-Smith D. The role of sports chiropractic.  The Chiropractic Report.  2008;22(4):1-3
6. Sports Medicine: an important gateway to the future.  Canadian Chiropractor.  2009;14(4):8-9
7. A journey ignitied: the profession’s role to the Olympics.  Canadian Chiropractor.  2010;15(2):8-12
8. Nook BC, Nook DD. Demographics of athletes and support personnel who used chiropractic physicians at the 6th all African games.  J Sports Chiropractic & Rehabilitation.  199711(4):136-139
9. Smith DL. Biodynamic performance and strength through chiropractic.  ICA Review.  2001 Jan-Feb;57(1):39-42
10. Bugg B. Riding the rodeo circuit. Canadian Chiropractor.  2004;(9):14-15
11. Stone P. Wellness care for the athlete. Today’s Chiropractic.  2003;32(5):64-67
12. Suter E, McMorland G, Herzog W, Bray R. Conservative lower back treatment reduces inhibition in knee extensor muscles: a randomized controlled trial. J Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics.  200;23(2):72-80
13. Suter E, McMorland G. Decrease in elbow flexor inhibition after cervical spine manipulation in patients with chronic neck pain. Clinical Biomechanics.  2002;17:541-544
14. Smith DL, Cox RH. Muscular strength and chiropractic: theorectical mechanisms and health implications. J Vertebral Subluxation Research.  2000;3(4):1-13
15. Lersa LB, Stinear CM, Lersa RA. The relationship between spinal dysfunction and reaction time measures. J Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics. 2005;28(7):502-507
16. Grimston SK, Engsberg JR, Shaw L, Vetanz NW. Muscular rehabilitation prescribed in coordination with prior chiropractic therapy as a treatment for sacroiliac subluxation in femaledistance runners. Chiropractic Sports Medicine.  19990;4(1):2-8
17. Costa SMV, Chibana YET, Giavarotti L, Compagnoli DS, SHiono AH, Satie J, Bracher ESB. Effect of spinal manipulative therapy with stretching compared with stretching alone on full-swing performance of golf players: a randomized pilot trial. J Chiropractic Medicine.  2009;8:165-170
18. Strunk RG, Hawk C. Effects of chiropractic care on dizziness, neck pain and balance: a single group, pre-experimental feasibility study. J Chiropractic Medicine.  2009 Dec;8(4):156-164
19. Sports Medicine Australia. Soft Tissue Injuries. org.au/resources-advice/injury-fact-sheets/soft-tissue-injuries/

---

by Dr Kristie Lane