Discover Wellness

Sport Injuries

Athletes may ask themselves why they get injured? They stretch, and they feel like they are in pretty excellent shape. So, why? In most cases, they play too hard, too long, or too fast. This not only applies to athletes but everyone. In the case of “cleaning house” such as spring cleaning, do any of us warm up or stretch before carrying those heavy boxes into the crawl space of our ceilings or mowing the lawn? This may not seem like a sports injury, but in fact, overuse syndromes or playing full speed before we are really warmed up are the major causes of sports injuries. Simple household chores, while done cold, can mimic a sports injury to some extent. Dr. Howard often cares for patients with sports injuries. And, as a prevention specialist, Dr. Howard advises these patients to avoid unnecessary medication and opt instead for all-natural therapies.
Chiropractic care offers a balanced approach to the treatment and the healing of sports injuries. By using the chiropractic adjustment to return spinal segments to their normal mobility and by using physical therapy to help the supportive tissues (muscles, tendons, & ligaments), chiropractic physicians help the injured areas return to normal function. Combined with some rest to help the healing process, athletes will find their way back on the court. Afterward, better strategies for exercise and stretching will be discussed with the athlete to help him stay on the straight and narrow path to better enjoyment of his chosen sport.

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Sport Injuries: Knees

Knee pain is one of the most common complaints among athletes. Chiropractors help active patients avoid knee trauma. By preventing knee injuries before they occur, patients also enjoy a dramatically reduced risk of knee osteoarthritis, which is triggered by injury. How can you ensure a knee pain-free future?  To prevent knee pain, chiropractors restore motion to restricted joints. They achieve this by applying a gentle force called a chiropractic adjustment. Chiropractors don’t treat the knee in isolation. Instead, chiropractors consider the connection between the knee’s bones, muscles and nerves, and the rest of the body. The vast majority of sports-related knee injuries are linked with an im¬ balance in the musculature of the
thigh. Often, the muscles in the front of the thigh are in better shape than those in the back of the thigh, which are frequently tight from lack of stretching.

Chiropractors acknowledge the inter connection of the body’s structures, and go to the source of any postural problem that may spur knee damage. This revolutionary approach often includes adjustments to the spine and hips, creating a foundation of optimal alignment that cascades down the skeleton. Chiropractic adjustments to the low back prevented a condition called muscle inhibition, a disorder characterized by tight thigh muscles that is linked with a failure to recover from knee complaints. In addition to adjusting the spine and hips, chiropractors frequently adjust the knee itself.  Since knee pain is associated with a restriction in the joint connecting the two bones of the lower leg (tibia and fibula). This joint — the tibiofibular joint — is located at the outer base of the knee. Chiropractic adjustment of the tibiofibular joint, “resulted in immediate and dramatic relief of symptoms”.

Proper footwear is essential to preventing sports-related knee injuries.  To prevent knee pain, choose an athletic shoe with adequate cushioning and arch support. In some cases, orthotics or
inserts can provide further alignment and safety. And remember, just like cars, shoes’ “shocks” degenerate over time. So, if you work out daily invest in new sneakers every three to five months. our doctor of chiropractic works diligently to remain up to date with cutting-edge, all-natural solutions to sports injuries, such as knee pain. If you’re an athlete, commit to prevent¬ ing injury before it affects your per¬ formance: schedule an appointment for a chiropractic checkup today!