Playing sports requires a certain agility and skill, regardless of the sport. Most athletes have many physical traits in common but how do they avoid injury? Chiropractic care works to keep many athletes healthy and on their field of play.

Dr. Cody Elledge from Elledge Chiropractic and Acupuncture says- “One of the most important aspects for athletes, especially professional ones, is that chiropractic care is drug-free care. Many athletes have lost his or her endorsements or place on the team from taking mediation that could potentially cause them a problem, even if it is for the management of pain. This is why chiropractic care is so popular with athletes and trainers both.”

Chiropractors are becoming more and more in demand by professional athletes from football players to cyclists to gymnasts; there is a benefit for everyone. Human bodies take some serious punishment when playing most sports, even something as non-contact as golf. Athletes need to possess that perfect combination of speed, strength, flexibility and coordination, especially to play the sport at the next level and caring for the spine and surrounding muscles is of paramount importance.

When injuries do occur, the player’s body suffers an impact similar to that of a car crash. Regular adjustments and other chiropractic care can prepare an athlete’s body for this type of rough play and help him or her bounce back after suffering an injury. Athletes who see a chiropractor on a regular basis have greater flexibility and range of motion and can handle the twisting motion of golf, the endurance of cycling and the battery of football better than those who do not receive regular chiropractic care. Also, spinal adjustments can lessen the irritation of the nerve roots between the vertebrae in the back, thus shortening the healing time and getting the player back on the course, road, or field in record time.

The body’s actions are controlled by the central nervous system, which sends and receives nerve impulses, and is protected by the vertebrae of the spine. When everything is working correctly, the nerves communicate with the rest of the body in an uninterrupted fashion. When the vertebrae are not aligned, due to stress or force, the nerves are affected and there is interference between the central nervous system and the nerve endings in the body. Various sports can misalign the spinal column which impacts the nerve impulses that radiate to the legs, feet, hands, arms, shoulders and head. This is one reason protection and proper care of the spine is so important to the human body.

Chiropractic care offers a holistic way to treat and prevent many different impairments that often beset many athletes. Regular adjustments help to ensure that the body is working at its optimum level by reducing the irritation of the roots of the nerves in the spinal column, which can also help the body to recover at a faster pace when an injury does occur. Even everyday conditions such as headaches, shoulder pain, and even ankle injuries can all be alleviated by simple chiropractic techniques, as well as the more serious injuries many athletes endure. There are many different methods that chiropractic doctors use to treat athletes. A routine of stretching and massage therapy; the Graston Technique, which involves using stainless steel tools to break down scar tissue; dry needling, where tension is released through trigger points, much like acupuncture; and electric muscle stimulation, where tension is released by using electricity on the surface of the muscle.

Why do famous athletes go see chiropractors for their care? Seeing a chiropractor on a continuing basis and receiving ongoing adjustments will allow for greater range of motion and joint flexibility. Joint pain is diminished and blood circulation is increased, which supplies the body’s muscles and organs with oxygen, making the athlete stronger in the long run. In addition to the avoidance of surgery and prescription medication, chiropractic care offers easement to the stress on the spine experienced in many sports. When the spine suffers misalignment during a football game or some other activity, nerve transmissions are disrupted which slows reaction time, range of motion, headaches, inflammation and other issues. Athletes who receive regular chiropractic care experience faster reaction time, better coordination and achieve more accurate and precise movements, leading to overall better performance There are famous athletes that swear by the chiropractic methods. World class athletes such as Arnold Schwarzenegger, Lance Armstrong, Tiger Woods, Venus Williams, and Tom Brady are all believers in the benefits of chiropractic care. Chiropractic care is so mainstream now, that thirty Major League Baseball teams have a team chiropractor on their staff and as of the 2014-2015 season, every single team in the National Football League had a staff chiropractor for their players. Anyone who plays sports—professional or amateur– can benefit from regular chiropractic checkups. These appointments can ensure that the spine is balanced and aligned, maximizing the body’s central nervous system and ultimately leading to better play.

In addition to adjustments, athletes can greatly benefit from massage therapy and other forms of chiropractic care. Massage therapy is not only an integral part of pain management, but also for an athlete’s state of mind. The relaxation of massage therapy has shown to be beneficial to an athlete’s ability to stay focused, while also improving an athlete’s mood. Not only are athletes, their trainers and coaches embracing new chiropractic methods to gain a competitive edge; they are also using these methods to help them off the playing field, as well. Massage, electrical stimulation and the use if hot and cold packs are all tools chiropractors can use to help an athlete achieve greater performance and avoid injury.

Of course, when treating an athlete, the chiropractor has to treat the whole player, and assemble a comprehensive care program designed to help the athlete avoid injury in the first place. After an initial evaluation and assessment of the athlete’s age, ability and athletic aptitude, the doctor should also administer neurological and orthopedic tests. All of these factors, along with the sport the athlete plays and the level, can determine the best course of action to assist with the best quality of life.